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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 8, 2003 · Piper PA-28-140 · N560FL

Aurora, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 8, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Aurora, NY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N560FL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA124

The pilot was departing to the south on his private 2,000-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, grass runway. He stated the airplane was configured with "two notches" of flaps. He rotated at 60 mph, and climbed at 75 mph. The pilot then realized that the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the 50-foot-high trees located at the end of the runway. As the airplane approached the trees, the pilot made a right turn; however, the left wing struck a tree and the airplane came to rest in a field. The pilot reported that the airplane's gross weight at the time of the accident was about 1,900 pounds. The weather reported at an airport about 22 miles southwest of the accident site, about the time of the accident included winds from 150 degrees at 10 knots, with 17 knot gusts, a temperature of 73 degrees F, and an altimeter setting of 29.73 in/hg. Review of the takeoff distance chart in the airplane owner's handbook revealed that the distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle, at a gross weight of 1,950 pounds was about 1,900 feet. However, the chart was predicated on a takeoff from a level hard surface runway, in a no wind, zero flap configuration.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to obtain the proper climb rate.

Full Narrative

On June 8, 2003, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N560FL, was substantially damaged during the initial climb after takeoff from a private grass airstrip in Aurora, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he performed a normal engine run-up, and departed to the south, on his 2,000-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, grass runway. The airplane was configured with "two notches" of flaps. He rotated at 60 mph, and climbed at 75 mph. The pilot then realized that the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the 50-foot-high trees located at the end of the runway. As the airplane approached the trees, the pilot made a right turn; however, the left wing struck a tree and the airplane came to rest in a field. The pilot further stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions, and "everything seemed perfectly normal." The pilot reported that he purchased the airplane about 6 months prior to the accident. He also reported 170 hours of total flight experience, which included about 16 hours in the accident airplane. The weather reported at an airport about 22 miles southwest of the accident site, at 1853, included winds from 150 degrees at 10 knots, with 17 knot gusts, a temperature of 73 degrees F, and an altimeter setting of 29.73 in/hg. The pilot reported that the airplane's gross weight at the time of the accident was about 1,900 pounds. Review of the takeoff distance chart in the airplane owner's handbook revealed that the distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle, at a gross weight of 1,950 pounds was about 1,900 feet. However, the chart was predicated on a takeoff from a level hard surface runway, in a no wind, zero flap configuration. The airplane's maximum takeoff gross weight was 2,150 pounds.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 EDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
RunwayS
Runway Length2000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN560FL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 10 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.72 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data