Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions. The crosswind and the ditch were factors.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot initiated a takeoff northbound on a two lane, paved road, with a left quartering tailwind. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft began to drift right and the right wheel dropped into a ditch alongside the road. The right wheel strut separated shortly thereafter. Post crash examination of the strut fracture surface revealed no evidence of fatigue.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 22, 1994, approximately 1000 hours mountain daylight time (mdt), a Cessna A188, N9879V, registered to and operated by H&H Aircraft Leasing, Inc., and being flown by Thomas R. Kiefer, a certificated commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when the aircraft's right main landing gear strut separated during an attempted takeoff from a two lane, paved road at a spray site approximately 20 nautical miles west of Cut Bank, Montana. The pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was a rinse operation for the aircraft's spray system, was to have been operated in accordance with the requirements set forth in 14CFR137. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he initiated a takeoff to the north with a six to seven knot left quartering tailwind. During the roll the aircraft became airborne and then settled back onto the road and began to drift right. The pilot attempted to correct for the drift, but the right wheel rolled into the ditch along the east edge of the road. Shortly thereafter, the right wheel separated at a point several inches above the wheel axle. The FAA inspector reported seeing no evidence of fatigue at the fracture surface. -