Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B N371WB

Summary

On 10 September 2024 at about 20:12 local time, a Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B registered N371WB was involved in an accident near Stratford, Connecticut, United States. One person was 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

10 September 2024 at 20:12

Classification

Accident

Location

Stratford, Connecticut, United States

Nearest airport

Bridgeport/Sikorsky (BDR)

Coordinates

41.1635, -73.1262

Aircraft

Brandt Stirling D WAIEX-B

Registration

N371WB

Category

Airplane

Year built

2020

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA24LA378

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain direction control of the airplane during a takeoff in crosswind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had received an automated weather briefing prior to taxiing that detailed that a quartering right headwind gusting up to 16 knots would prevail for the takeoff. As he turned onto the runway and began to apply full power for takeoff, there was a “strong crosswind from the right,” and the airplane turned into the wind. The pilot applied full left rudder input but could not keep the airplane aligned with the runway centerline. Shortly after, he reduced the engine power to idle and applied full brakes, but the wind continued to push the airplane to the right. He reported that the tailwheel was also skidding down the pavement surface even with the elevator “full back.” The airplane contacted a taxiway sign on the right edge of the runway, substantially damaging the right wing. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.