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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 3, 2017 · Piper PA 15 NO Series · N4195H

Farmville, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 2017
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Farmville, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA 15 NO Series (1948)
Tail Number
N4195H
Operator
Philip Cianciolo
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ERA17LA225

During the cross-country flight, the pilot performed a precautionary landing in a field due to a possible fuel flow issue. After determining that fuel was flowing to the engine, the pilot attempted to depart from the field, which was covered in high vegetation. The pilot reported that the condition of the field resulted in inadequate airspeed to climb out and clear the trees at the end of the field. The pilot initiated a turn, during which he exceeded the airplane's critical angle of attack, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. The left wing impacted terrain and the airplane cartwheeled. It came to rest upright, in the field and was destroyed by a postcrash fire.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s improper decision to depart from an unsuitable off-airport surface which resulted in his subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

Full Narrative

On July 3, 2017, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-15, N4195H, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Farmville, Virginia. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. In a statement provided to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that he purchased the airplane the day before the accident and was flying back to his home airport when he made a precautionary landing in a field due to a possible fuel transfer issue. After troubleshooting and confirming fuel flow to the engine, he attempted to take off from the field. The pilot reported that, due to the high vegetation, the airplane was "not able to get enough airspeed to climb out and clear the trees at the end of the field." The pilot initiated a turn, which resulted in a low altitude stall. The left wing impacted terrain and the airplane cartwheeled and came to rest upright in a corn field. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed it came to rest in a corn field and was consumed by an extensive postcrash fire.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA 15 NO Series
Tail NumberN4195H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPhilip Cianciolo
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C85 SERIES · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 68 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time17:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data