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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

August 15, 1993 · Piper PA-22-150 · N9666D

Ellis, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Ellis, KS
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N9666D
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA323

The pilot was attempting to takeoff from a county road. The airplane had full fuel, four persons aboard, and the road sloped upward in the direction of takeoff. The air temperature was approximately 93 degrees. The airplane started sinking and drifting to the left while the pilot was flying in ground effect. The airplane drifted off of the road and nosed-over in a ditch. The estimated density altitude at the time of the accident was 4,800' msl.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors in the accident are the pilot's premature liftoff, his failure to keep the airplane properly aligned during the initial climb, and the high density altitude.

Full Narrative

On August 14, 1993, at 1920 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22- 150, N9666D, sustained substantial damage when it nosed-over in a ditch during takeoff from a county road near Ellis, Kansas. The private pilot received minor injuries. The three passengers aboard the airplane were not injured. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff to the west on the county road. He stated he was flying in ground effect with a nose high attitude, and the airplane began to sink and drift to the left. The airplane drifted off the road, hit a ditch, and nosed-over. The takeoff site elevation was approximately 2,000' msl; the outside air temperature was approximately 93 degrees fahrenheit. The estimated density altitude for these conditions is 4,800' msl (chart attached).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN9666D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 11 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data