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June 11, 2002 · Piper PA-28-200 · N9357N

Gettysburg, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 11, 2002
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Gettysburg, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-200
Tail Number
N9357N
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC02LA113

While departing from a 1,800-foot long grass strip, the airplane remained in ground effect and would not climb. The airplane then struck a tree and a power line located about 500 feet beyond the end of the runway, shearing the right wing from the fuselage. The pilot stated that the airplane's weight at the time of the accident was about 300 pounds below the maximum gross weight. He did not report any malfunctions with the engine or airframe. Examination of the landing facility after the accident revealed that the turf was mowed to a height of about 6 inches. According to the airplane pilot's operating handbook, the takeoff performance for a paved level dry runway, at maximum gross weight, included a ground roll of about 1,000 feet, and a total distance of 2,100 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to accurately compute takeoff performance and his failure to establish a positive climb resulting in a collision with trees.

Full Narrative

On June 11, 2002, about 1645 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-200, N9357N, was substantially damaged while taking off from a private airstrip near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he landed at the 1,800-foot long grass airstrip, and parked the airplane. He then inquired the landowner as to the name of the airstrip he had just landed. Since the airstrip was not the pilot's intended landing facility, he elected to depart. The pilot taxied the airplane to the end of the airstrip, and positioned it to depart diagonally, in an effort to take advantage of the wind conditions. During the takeoff, the airplane began to climb; however, it remained in ground effect. The airplane then struck a tree and a power line, shearing the right wing from the fuselage. The airplane descended back to the ground, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot additionally stated that the airplane's weight at the time of the accident was about 300 pounds below the maximum gross weight. He did not report any malfunctions with the engine or airframe. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the landing facility after the accident and observed the turf was mowed to a height of about 6 inches. He also observed that about 500 feet north of the grass strip, was the Bowtie Airport, also a private grass strip. There were no taxiways between the two grass strips. According to the airplane pilot's operating handbook, the takeoff performance for a paved level dry runway, at maximum gross weight, included a ground roll of about 1,000 feet, and a total distance of 2,100 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. There were no charts available in the handbook to calculate takeoff performance from a soft field. The weather at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, included winds from 040 degrees at 6 knots, temperature of 29 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.85 inches Hg.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EDT
Nearest AirportBowtie Airport (0nm NE)
Runway05
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-200
Tail NumberN9357N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 6 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.85 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data