Crash location | 31.999444°N, 110.357778°W |
Nearest city | Benson, AZ
31.967861°N, 110.294517°W 4.3 miles away |
Tail number | N75784 |
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Accident date | 27 Oct 2010 |
Aircraft type | Medway Raven |
Additional details: | None |
The pilot stated that as he taxied onto the runway and toward the centerline, the trike encountered a lateral crack across the runway pavement, which caused a noticeable and sharp 'wiggle' through the foot controls; he felt no other anomalies. He lined the trike on runway centerline and readied the trike for takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the trike struck another crack, and began to veer to the right. He attempted to correct back to the runway centerline without success. The trike rolled up on its left side, causing damage to the left wings' keel tube, the control A-frame, left leading edge spar, and sail cloth. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that he wanted to go out on one last flight before the runway was closed for repairs. According to the FAA airworthiness inspector who responded to the airport, the crack in the runway that the trike traversed was about 4 to 5 inches wide and at least 1 to 2 inches deep. The city commenced planned runway repairs on November 1, 2010.
The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the runway condition and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.