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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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October 15, 1995 · Piper PA-22 · N834A

Crawfordsville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 15, 1995
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Location
Crawfordsville, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-22
Tail Number
N834A
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI96LA008

THE PILOT PERFORMED A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF WITH FULL FLAPS AT 65 MPH. HE THEN RETRACTED FLAPS TO FULL UP POSITION. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE FELT AS IF IT WAS IN A DOWNDRAFT CONDITION WITH THE AIRSPEED NEVER GETTING OVER 65 MPH. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED LEFT WING LOW IN A FIELD. THE PA-22 FLIGHT MANUAL DOES NOT ADDRESS FULL OR PARTIAL FLAP TAKEOFFS.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's premature raising of the flaps and the low airspeed.

Full Narrative

On October 15, 1995, at 1750 central daylight time, a Piper, PA-22, N834A, piloted by the private pilot, collided with trees and terrain on departure from Shades Airstrip near Crawfordsville, Indiana. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and two passengers on board the airplane reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight. No flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and was originating at the time of the accident. From the pilot's written statement, he performed a short field takeoff at 65 miles per hour (MPH) followed by a left turn to avoid terrain. He then raised full flaps to the full up position at 100 feet above ground level (AGL). The airplane then began to develop a sink rate. The airplane impacted the ground left wing low and rolled inverted. The pilot stated, "...I did not suspect a loss of power and kept waiting to be out of severe down draft and start climbing again. I never heard a change in power. ...I can't believe the airplane was stalled and that I made two left turns... ." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved PA-22 flight manual states, the gross weight power-off stalling speed with full flaps is 48 MPH, with flaps up the stalling speed increases about 4 MPH. The best rate of climb airspeed at gross weight is 87 MPH with flaps retracted. The PA-22 flight manual recommends a climbing speed of 100 MPH. The FAA approved flight manual does not address a full or partial flap takeoff.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:50 EDT
Nearest AirportShades State Park (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length3745 ft
Runway Width135 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22
Tail NumberN834A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D · Reciprocating · 125
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 11 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 25 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data