Serious incident Smith DSA-1 Miniplane N4655Y, Sunday 30 July 1989

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Date:	Sunday 30 July 1989
Time:	15:15 LT
Type:	Smith DSA-1 Miniplane
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N4655Y
MSN:	1001
Engine model:	Continental A-65
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Serious incident
Location:	Cumberland, MD - United States of America
Phase:	Taxi
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PLT WAS MAKING A HIGH SPEED TAXI RUN, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE REPORTED HAVING DIFFICULTY STEERING THE ACFT AS HE WAS TAXIING DOWN THE RWY. CONTROL OF THE ACFT WAS LOST AND IT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY INTO A WOODED AREA. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION OF THE LANDING GEAR AND/OR ACFT STEERING.

Probable Cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING HIGH SPEED TAXI TESTS.

Accident investigation: