18) REJECTED TAKEOFF (RTO), U-FIT

Sonex Aircraft Sonex | N966DP

September 10th, 2024 | Sulphur Springs, Indiana

Accident Location

  • City: Sulphur Springs
  • State: Indiana
  • Latitude: 40.00181
  • Longitude: -85.43002
  • Airport ID: 39IN

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N966DP
  • Make: Sonex Aircraft
  • Model: Sonex
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: Yes

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Province, David
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 82
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: Basic Med
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: September 10th, 2024
  • Time: 1:45 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Takeoff
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: CEN24FA346
  • NTSB Travel: No
  • AQP Classification: 18) REJECTED TAKEOFF (RTO), U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the accident pilot did not maintain control of the aircraft path, and did not reject the takeoff when the departure path went to the right. The aircraft was at or above flying speed when it departed the grass runway, about 1150 feet from the start of the takeoff roll. Even though a four point harness system was used, the accident pilot died from multiple blunt force injuries.

NTSB: The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff for undetermined reasons.

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition them selves to be ready and able to reject any takeoff very early in the takeoff roll when directional control becomes in question.

NTSB: NONE.

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.