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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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May 26, 2002 · Piper J-5 · N38399

Greers Ferry, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 26, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Greers Ferry, AR
Aircraft
Piper J-5
Tail Number
N38399
Operator
Paul C Cassel
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW02LA163

Just after liftoff, the engine lost power. The pilot then tried to abort the takeoff by setting the aircraft back onto the runway. He decided to abort because of a perpendicular tree line located at the end of the runway. Subsequently, the aircraft overran the end of the runway and collided with trees and brush. The loss of engine power could not be determined, although the pilot suspected carburetor ice. According to information on a Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, and the temperature/dewpoint in which the airplane was operating, a "serious icing" probability could have existed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the probability of carburetor ice.

Full Narrative

On May 26, 2002, approximately 1700 central daylight time, a Piper J-5 single-engine airplane, N38399, was substantially damaged when it struck trees during an aborted takeoff from a private airstrip near Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and his passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that just after liftoff, the engine lost power. He then tried to abort the takeoff by setting the aircraft back onto the runway. He decided to abort because of a perpendicular tree line located at the end of the runway. Subsequently, the aircraft overran the end of the runway and collided with trees and brush resulting in structural damage to the wing. The loss of engine power could not be determined, although the pilot suspected carburetor ice. According to information on a Carburetor Icing Probability Chart, and the temperature/dewpoint in which the airplane was operating, a "serious icing" probability could have existed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CDT
Nearest AirportSkypoint Private Strip (0nm)
Runway26
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper J-5
Tail NumberN38399
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul C Cassel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 76 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 70 F
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data