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August 25, 1999 · Piper PA-28-140 · N6685J

Jackson, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 25, 1999
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Jackson, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N6685J
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA99LA238

According to the pilot he calculated the weight for this flight and came up with total weight of '...860 pounds, 5.5 pound over weight limit.' He said he '...did a complete check off on everything in the cockpit, and a static run-up only produced 2400 RPM's instead of 2500 RPM's the engine usually produced.' He rotated the airplane at 80 mph, it climbed to about 100 to 150 feet and entered 'some turbulence, at this time it felt like something was pushing the airplane to the ground...[he] decided the airplane was not going to climb over the trees and started turning off the fuel selector switch, the master switch, and we went into the trees.' According to the FAA inspector's statement, the airplane was at '...max gross weight at takeoff and encountered a down draft.' The stall warning light came on, the pilot lowered the nose to prevent a stall, the airplane was unable to maintain altitude and hit trees at end of runway. The reported temperature in the area about the time of the accident was about 90 degrees F. The wind were variable at 4 knots. The calculated density altitude was 2332 feet.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, which resulted in taking off with the airplane's maximum gross weight exceeded, and subsequent impact with trees. Factors in this accident were high temperatures and an in-flight encounter with a downdraft.

Full Narrative

On August 25, 1999, about 1026 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6685J, owned by an individual, collided with trees after taking off from the Jackson Airport, Jackson, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and commercial-rated pilot/passenger reported no injuries. Two other passengers reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time, and was en route to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. According to the pilot's statement, "...calculating the distance, time, and fuel consumption, I decided 18 gallons of fuel would be needed. Thinking I had 20 gallons of fuel I calculated the weight...120 pounds [fuel]...200 pounds [pilot]...160 pounds [male passenger]...170 pounds [male passenger]...190 pounds [male passenger]...total gross weight for the airplane was 864.50 pounds...did a complete pre-flight check of the airplane...found the airplane had twenty-three to twenty-five gallons of fuel...recalculating the weight in my head I decided that it was 860 pounds, 5.5 pound over weight limit. Thinking back, only three weeks before I had taken off with the same amount of weight...I did a complete check off on everything in the cockpit, and a static run-up only produced 2400 RPM's instead of 2500 RPM's the engine usually produced. After holding the airplane in the static run-up...I released the toe brakes and down the runway we went. Rotating the airplane at 80 MPH, it climbed to about 100 to 150 feet and entered some turbulence, at this time it felt like something was pushing the airplane to the ground...I decided the airplane was not going to climb over the trees and [I] started turning off the fuel selector switch, the master switch, and we went into the trees." According to the FAA inspector's statement, "...aircraft at max gross weight, took off and at approximate 250 feet, aircraft encountered a down draft, stall warning light came on, pilot lowered nose to prevent stall. Aircraft was unable to maintain altitude and hit trees at end of runway." The reported temperature in the area about the time of the accident was about 90 degrees F. The winds were variable at 4 knots. The calculated density altitude was 2332 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:26 CDT
Nearest AirportWilliam Stewart (1nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN6685J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2600 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data