NTSB Factual Report

On December 9, 2005, approximately 0935 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-18-150 single-engine airplane, N2584S, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain following a loss of control during takeoff-initial climb, at the Prineville Airport (S39), Prineville, Oregon. The private pilot, who occupied the front seat, and the certified flight instructor who occupied the rear seat, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which was being operated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), and according to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1), the private pilot, who did not possess a current flight review but was tailwheel qualified, reported that he had just purchased the airplane and planned to ferry it from S39 to Las Vegas, Nevada, with the assistance of the flight instructor. The private pilot stated that prior to departure the aircraft was preflighted and an engine runup was completed, with no anomalies noted. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane "went straight, [the] tail came up, and the [airplane] began climbing." The private pilot reported that he thought the airplane was about 30 feet in the air when the rear seated flight instructor told him to "cut the throttle," which he did. The private pilot stated, "...the nose came over and the plane angled slightly to the right and the left wing was slightly high. I advanced the throttle and tried to put in left rudder. The plane hit the edge of the runway wings level on the main gear. The gear collapsed." The private pilot reported that he detected no anomalies with the airplane during the flight.

In a written report submitted to the IIC, the rear seated flight instructor reported that the private pilot took off and pulled the aircraft up into a nose high attitude. The pilot stated that at an altitude of about 30 feet the wind picked up the left wing and the aircraft rolled over to the right, coming down hard on the right landing gear. The flight instructor reported, "It happened so fast that I did not have a chance to react." The flight instructor also reported to a Senior NTSB investigator that prior to the flight he was aware that the private pilot did not possess a current flight review, and that concurrent with the multiple leg cross-country flight, he would administer a flight review to the private pilot. The flight instructor reported no anomalies with the airplane, which would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft control not maintained by the private pilot during the initial takeoff climb, and the improper remedial action by the flight instructor. A factor was the wind gust.