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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 13, 1993 · Piper PA-28-140 · N6001U

Paintsville, KY

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 13, 1993
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Paintsville, KY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N6001U
Operator
Larry Williamson
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO93LA085

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 13, BUT MIDFIELD HE ABORTED THAT TAKEOFF. HE STATED THAT HE NOTICED THE WIND FAVORED RUNWAY 31, SO HE SWITCHED RUNWAYS. HE REPORTED THAT THE TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL, HIS RATE OF CLIMB 300 FEET PER MINUTE AND AIRSPEED ABOUT 80 MPH. HE STATED THAT DURING THE CLIMB HE WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO THE VALLEY WHEN HE FELT A DOWNDRAFT TO THE RT SIDE OF THE AIRPLANE. ACCORDING TO THE FAA THE AIRPORT IS SITUATED IN A MOUNTAIN VALLEY WITH HILLS ON BOTH SIDES AND A 400 FOOT HILL LOCATED ABOUT 1500 FEET BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 31. THE LOCAL PILOTS WHEN DEPARTING USUALLY TURN 60 DEGREES LEFT OR RIGHT TO AVOID THE HILL. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE APPROACHING THE HILL, AND MAKING A STEEP RIGHT TURN BEFORE IT DESCENDED INTO THE TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE OR CLEARANCE FROM THE TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION AND THE PROXIMITY OF THE HILL TO THE RUNWAY.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 13, BUT MIDFIELD HE ABORTED THAT TAKEOFF. HE STATED THAT HE NOTICED THE WIND FAVORED RUNWAY 31, SO HE SWITCHED RUNWAYS. HE REPORTED THAT THE TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL, HIS RATE OF CLIMB 300 FEET PER MINUTE AND AIRSPEED ABOUT 80 MPH. HE STATED THAT DURING THE CLIMB HE WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN INTO THE VALLEY WHEN HE FELT A DOWNDRAFT TO THE RT SIDE OF THE AIRPLANE. ACCORDING TO THE FAA THE AIRPORT IS SITUATED IN A MOUNTAIN VALLEY WITH HILLS ON BOTH SIDES AND A 400 FOOT HILL LOCATED ABOUT 1500 FEET BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 31. THE LOCAL PILOTS WHEN DEPARTING USUALLY TURN 60 DEGREES LEFT OR RIGHT TO AVOID THE HILL. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE APPROACHING THE HILL, AND MAKING A STEEP RIGHT TURN BEFORE IT DESCENDED INTO THE TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:25 EDT
Nearest AirportPaintsville-Combs Field (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN6001U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorLarry Williamson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data