Piper PA38
Colorado Springs, CO — October 15, 2019
Event Information
| Date | October 15, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA20CA014 |
| Event ID | 20191015X24741 |
| Location | Colorado Springs, CO |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 38.94278, -104.57000 |
| Airport | Meadow Lake |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Piper |
| Model | PA38 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading while taking off with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in impact with a fence.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff the airplane drifted left off runway heading. He attempted to correct, but the airplane continued to drift left, impacted a fence and came to rest in a horse corral.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 220° at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot reported that, about the time of the accident the wind was 330° at 11 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 08.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.