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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 6, 1998 · Piper PA-22-150 · N3900P

Woodstock, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Woodstock, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N3900P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA98LA150

According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), after a local flight of about 1 hour, the two pilots decided to 'check-out' a grass strip that they had flown over. The grass runway was oriented north/south and they landed on runway 18. On approach, they noted that the runway was 'uphill.' After landing, they noted that the wind shocks indicated that the ground winds were 'calm.' They elected to depart on runway 36, and the PIC initiated a 'short' field takeoff. They crossed a road at the north end of the field, and the PIC stated, '...but [the airplane] did not clear the trees.' He said, '...we clipped the top of the first tree and the prop went through the second...we caught a larger tree on the inboard right wing.' The reported winds about 10 miles north of the crash site were from 150 degrees at 9 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to establish a positive climb to outclimb obstacle (tree) and his decision to execute a takeoff with a tailwind.

Full Narrative

On May 6, 1998, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N3900P, registered to Air Group Inc., crashed during takeoff at a private airstrip, near Woodstock, Georgia, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport-rated certified flight instructor and private-rated pilot/passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Marietta, Georgia, at 1700. According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), after a local flight of about 1 hour, the two pilots decided to "check-out" a grass strip that they had flown over. The grass runway was oriented north/south and they landed on runway 18. On approach, they noted that the runway was "uphill." After landing, they noted that the wind socks indicated that the ground winds were "calm." They elected to depart on runway 36, and the PIC initiated a "short" field takeoff. They crossed a road at the north end of the field, and the PIC stated, "...but [the airplane] did not clear the trees." He said, "...we clipped the top of the first tree and the prop went through the second...we caught a larger tree on the inboard right wing." The reported winds at Dobbins Airbase, Georgia, located about 10 miles north of the crash site were from 150 degrees at 9 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 EDT
Nearest AirportAIRACRES (1nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN3900P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 9 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 1300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data