Piper PA-31C | C-GKSI
June 17th, 2024 | Loudinville, New York
Accident Location
- City: Loudinville
- State: New York
- Latitude: 42.72512
- Longitude: -73.78994
- Airport ID: KALB
Aircraft Info
- N Number: C-GKSI
- Make: Piper
- Model: PA-31C
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Multi Engine Land
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Gillis, Natalie
- Gender: Female
- Pilot Age: 34
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Commercial Pilot
- IFR Rating: Yes
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: Unknown
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: June 17th, 2024
- Time: 8:15 AM 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: ERA24FA262
- NTSB Travel: Yes
- 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 pilot failed to assure that the elevator trim setting was set properly, and did fail to reject the takeoff once a condition of abnormal control yoke force was evident, well prior to liftoff. The elevator trim actuator was found with 1.0 inch of threaded rod on the forward side of the actuator with 10 threads exposed, which corresponded to a full nose-up trim condition. The aircraft had been flown recently and regularly, so an improperly rigged elevator trim tab is not suspected at this time.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become familiar with AQP best practices which ensure that a BEFORE TAXI checklist is complete prior to any aircraft movement. The BEFORE TAXI checklist should include a verification of all flight control trim positions and indications.
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.