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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 19, 1994 · Piper PA-28-140 · N1470T

Freeport, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 19, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Freeport, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N1470T
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA032

THE STUDENT PILOT HAD BEEN ENDORSED FOR THE SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. HE DEVIATED FROM HIS FLIGHT PLAN, FLEW TO MCVILLE AIRPORT, LANDED, AND BOARDED 2 PASSENGERS. DURING THE TAKEOFF FROM THE 2250-FT LONG TURF RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF, BUT WAS AIRBORNE BRIEFLY BEFORE IT SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE THEN RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A FENCE, WENT DOWN A HILL AND IMPACTED THE TOP OF TREES. THE AIRPLANE WAS 59 LBS OVER MAX TAKEOFF GROSS WEIGHT, AND THE PILOT HAD USED 10 DEG OF FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. THE FLIGHT MANUAL RECOMMENDED 25 DEG OF FLAPS FOR A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF IN AN OVERWEIGHT AIRPLANE, HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW APPROVED SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF PROCEDURES, NOT ATTAINING A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB, AND ATTEMPTING AN OPERATION BEYOND HIS EXPERIENCE LEVEL.

Full Narrative

On November 19, 1994, at 1215 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N1470T, piloted by Mr. Gregory Mitchell, of Worthington, Pennsylvania, struck a fence and trees on takeoff from McVille Airport, Freeport, Pennsylvania. The airplane received substantial damage. The pilot was not injured, however, the two passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight which operated under 14 CFR Part 91. The FAA reported the pilot held a student pilot certificate. He had been signed off for a solo cross-country flight. The route of flight took the airplane across McVille airport; however, McVille airport was not on the approved routing for the flight. The pilot landed at McVille airport, and boarded two passengers. He attempted a takeoff on runway 18, which was 2250 feet long and had a turf surface. The airplane got airborne, however, the pilot was unable to get a proper climb established. The airplane overran the runway and went through a fence, settling to the ground three times. The terrain then sloped down and the airplane struck the tops of trees beyond the runway. The airplane came to rest nose down, in a wooded area. When interviewed by the FAA, the pilot reported he used one notch of flaps, and the airplane flight manual recommended two notches of flaps for a short field takeoff. Gouges were reported in the turf runway, and in an open field past the departure end of the runway, similar to the tail skid on the airplane. Additionally, a check of the airplane weight and balance revealed the airplane was 59 lbs over its maximum takeoff gross weight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 EST
Nearest AirportMCVILLE (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length2250 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN1470T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data