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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 23, 2011 · Piper PA-36-375 · N3963E

Cambridge, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Cambridge, NE
Aircraft
Piper PA-36-375
Tail Number
N3963E
Operator
Joseph M Sides
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11CA526

The pilot was departing on the first agricultural application flight of the day. He said that as he taxiing, he noticed the engine temperature rising, so he leaned the mixture. He completed his engine run-up and departed. He said that as the airplane was accelerating down the runway, he noticed the airplane was not developing enough power, but he had used up most of the runway and could not abort the takeoff. During climb, the airplane experienced a degrade in performance and struck terrain about 600 feet from the airport. The impact collapsed the landing gear and caused substantial damage to the airframe and elevator. The pilot reported that he inadvertently departed with the engine's mixture control lever at the halfway leaned setting. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented if he had used a checklist.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to reset the engine's mixture control lever to the full rich position prior to takeoff.

Full Narrative

The airplane departed from a runway with a slight uphill grade, for the first agricultural application flight of the day. The pilot reported that his acceleration was less than expected, and he lifted off near the departure end of the runway with minimum airspeed. The airplane failed to accelerate or climb, and struck terrain about 600 feet from the airport. The impact collapsed the landing gear and caused substantial damage to the airframe and elevator. The pilot reported that he inadvertently departed with the engine mixture control leaned at approximately the halfway setting. The pilot added there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane. He also reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had used the checklist.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:38 CDT
Nearest AirportCambridge Municipal Airport (1nm)
Runway32
Runway Length4098 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-36-375
Tail NumberN3963E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJoseph M Sides
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-720 · Reciprocating · 400
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.85 inHg
Observation Time11:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data