Beechcraft D17 N9290H

Summary

On 11 March 2016 at about 14:25 local time, a Beechcraft D17 registered N9290H, operated by Stephen E. Dyer, was involved in an accident near Brighton, Colorado, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 March 2016 at 14:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Brighton, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Van Aire (CO12)

Coordinates

39.9828, -104.7022

Aircraft

Beechcraft D17

Registration

N9290H

Category

Airplane

Year built

1944

Engines

1

Operator

Stephen E. Dyer

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Brighton → Brighton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA146

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain the runway course during takeoff, resulting in the airplane drifting to the left and impacting a fence. A contributing factor to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention during the takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that shortly after the biplane lifted off the runway during takeoff, he diverted his attention and reached for the fuel selector which was located on the lower right wall of the cockpit. He further reported that the biplane drifted to the left of the runway and impacted a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper and lower right wings, and the fuselage. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.