The pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff roll due to distraction by the passenger window being unsecured, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway distance marker. Contributing to the accident was pilot’s failure to ensure that the passenger window was secured.
NTSB Accidents
Pilot crashes while landing at Oshkosh
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate spacing from the lead airplane while landing following revised landing instructions, which necessitated that the pilot conduct an improper landing flare and resulted in a hard landing.
Sales demonstration flight ends with serious injuries
The pilot’s improper decision to operate the airplane in exceedance of the airplane manufacturer’s operating limitations, which led to an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to continue attempting the takeoff after two failed attempts.
Change in flight plan leads to fuel exhaustion
The pilot’s improper fuel planning and decision to not divert to a closer airport when the planned flight profile changed, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
New plane, new problems
The pilot’s inadvertent reduction of power during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the pilot’s inadvertent reduction of power was his lack of experience with his left hand on the control stick and right hand on the throttle.
Pilot injured after plane hits a tree when runway lights turn off
The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath during a night landing, which resulted in impact with a tree.
Distracted pilot dealing with motion sickness forgets to extend landing gear
The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to extend the landing gear and the flight instructor’s failure to verify that the landing gear was extended due to distraction, which resulted in a gear-up landing.
Pietenpol test flight goes awry
The failure of the left main landing gear attachment point during the landing roll for reasons that could not be determined because the attachment was not examined, which resulted in a loss of directional control, collision with a drainage culvert, and a subsequent nose-over.
Pilot stalls while practicing candy drop
The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a low-altitude climbing turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.