Piper PA-28-181 N4297S

Summary

On 26 January 2012 at about 22:10 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 registered N4297S, operated by Marco A. Perez, was involved in an accident near Santa Barbara, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 January 2012 at 22:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Barbara, California, United States

Nearest airport

Santa Barbara Municipal (SBA)

Coordinates

34.4261, -119.8414

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-181

Registration

N4297S

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Marco A. Perez

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Santa Barbara → El Monte

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12CA083

Nobody was injured.

The pilot did not maintain directional control during takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after aligning the airplane with the runway centerline and adding full power for takeoff, the airplane accelerated and then began to veer left. The pilot immediately added right rudder to correct for the deviation, but the airplane did not respond to the control input. He then reduced power to abort the takeoff, but, seeing runway signs in his path, he added full power again in an attempt to get airborne to avoid colliding with the signs. After becoming airborne, the airplane impacted a sign with its right main landing gear and right stabilator, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane. Neither the pilot nor a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, who examined the airplane after the accident, reported any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.