Probable cause
A loss of directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the takeoff roll was normal until the airplane reached a speed of about 40-45 knots, when the right rudder pedal suddenly felt “soft” followed by a sudden uncommanded swerve to the left. He attempted to correct the swerve with full right rudder and right brake but was unsuccessful. The airplane departed the runway, the pilot applied both brakes “heavily,” and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage aft of the wing. The pilot suspected a possible steering malfunction, however, a postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector was unable to discover any defects of the steering mechanism.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20LA311 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 5, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Villa Rica, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Earl L Small Jr Fld/Stockmar (20GA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built CH650LS
- N-number
- N232PA
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2008
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.