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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 19, 1995 · Piper PA-28-181 · N43786

Louisville, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Louisville, KY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N43786
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA117

THE PILOT STATED THAT WEIGHT AND BALANCE WAS DETERMINED TO BE 2522.3 LBS. WITH C.G. OF 93 INCHES. HE BEGAN THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED TO '55 KNOTS.' WHEN HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE THE AIRPLANE ROTATED, BUT DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKE OFF. HE 'THROTTLED BACK, APPLIED BRAKES AND PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE. THE AIRPLANE DECELERATED, BUT DID NOT STOP. THE AIRPLANE CROSSED THE INTERSECTING RUNWAY, ONTO THE GRASS, STRUCK THE AIRPORT SECURITY FENCE AND STOPPED. THE FAA INSPECTOR WROTE IN HIS STATEMENT, THE 'CORRECTED TOTAL WEIGHT' AT TAKEOFF WAS 2,575 POUNDS, AND THE MAXIMUM CERTIFIED WEIGHT FOR TAKEOFF WAS '2,550' POUNDS.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate planning which resulted in his failure to attain adequate airspeed for takeoff.

Full Narrative

On May 19, 1995, about 1656 eastern daylight time, a Piper, PA-28-181, N43786, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff, from Bowman Field Airport, Louisville, Kentucky. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2: Weight and balance was determined to be 2522.3 lbs. with C.G. of 93 inches)...I began takeoff roll on Runway 32 and the aircraft accelerated to 55 knots. I pulled back on the yoke with what I considered normal back pressure and the aircraft rotated...at that point the aircraft stopped accelerating. I decided to abort the take off. I throttled back, applied brakes and pulled back on the yoke. The aircraft decelerated but not at the rate I expected for full braking. The aircraft crossed...Runway 14 and onto the grass...struck the airport security fence and stopped... According to the FAA Inspector's statement the "corrected total weight" at takeoff was 2,575 pounds, and the maximum certified weight for takeoff was "2,550" pounds. The FAA Inspector wrote: It is the opinion of this inspector that the over gross weight of this aircraft and the inexperience of the low time pilot to operate this aircraft in a HEAVY configuration led to the aborted takeoff and subsequent accident...inspection of the aircraft did not reveal any mechanical malfunction. The Louisville (LOU) 1658 weather observation was; 3000 scattered, visibility 10 miles, temperature 75 degrees F, dew point 41 degrees F, wind 030 degrees, 9 knots, altimeter 29.88 inches Hg. At the time of the accident the pilot's total flight hours was 116, all in this make and model airplane, and 52 hours as pilot- in-command.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:56 EDT
Nearest AirportBowman Field (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length3539 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN43786
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data