Socata TAMPICO TB 9 N505PC

Summary

On 13 February 2016 at about 01:30 local time, a Socata TAMPICO TB 9 registered N505PC, operated by Kenneth Williamson, was involved in an accident near Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 February 2016 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Fort Smith Rgnl (FSM)

Coordinates

35.3344, -94.3739

Aircraft

Socata TAMPICO TB 9

Registration

N505PC

Category

Airplane

Year built

1992

Engines

1

Operator

Kenneth Williamson

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fort Smith → Fort Smith

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

GAA16CA125

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in runway excursion, impact with terrain and an airport sign, and a postimpact fire.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions, the wind changed from a left crosswind to a left quartering tail wind. The tail of the airplane was pushed to the right; the nose turned to the left. He further reported that the left wing lifted, which caused the airplane to wheelbarrow off the runway to the left/right and impact an airport sign. Following the impact, the right fuel tank ruptured, the wing caught fire, and the airplane came to a stop. The right wing sustained substantial damage.   The pilot reported that 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.