NTSB Factual Report

On July 10, 2003, about 0600 Pacific daylight time, an Aero Commander S2R, N8912Q, experienced a loss of control during the takeoff roll at the Tulelake Municipal Airport, Tulelake, California. The airplane veered off the left side of runway 11 and came to rest upon decelerating in a soft field about 200 yards from the runway's edge. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot received a minor injury. The airplane was owned and operated by Macy's Flying Service, Inc., Tulelake. The accident occurred during an attempted takeoff for an agricultural flight performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In the pilot's completed "Aircraft Accident Report," he indicated that during the takeoff roll he had experienced a total loss of aileron control. He also indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he performed a better preflight inspection because he would not have left the gust lock on the right aileron.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector opined that the pilot apparently forgot to remove the right aileron to flap gust lock. He further opined that about rotation speed, the pilot would have put down some amount of flaps to aid his takeoff, and the airplane veered off the runway. The airplane's left wing tip struck the ground, and the airplane slid across the ground until coming to a stop in the adjacent field.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to remove the gust lock, which resulted in his loss of airplane control.