# Accident 20120320003199A: Piper PA-28-140, Indianapolis, IN, March 20, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 20, 2012, 17:20 local time
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Airport: Eagle Creek Airpark
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.8308° N, 86.2944° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8308&lon=-86.2944&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8421R, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8421R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-140 (registry code 7102802, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Student
- Pilot flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN12LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA195) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120320003199A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DURING A SIMULATED SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF, AFTER POWER WAS APPLIED AND THE NOSE WHEEL LIFTED OFF THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO COMPENSATE WITH RIGHT RUDDER FOR THE LEFT TURNING TENDENCIES.  THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT AND STRUCK A VASI LIGHT AND THE CONTROL UNIT, DAMAGING BOTH WINGS. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ON THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY. UPON INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE, THE DAMAGE TO THE WINGS WAS CLASSIFIED AS SUBSTANTIAL DUE TO THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE LEFT-HAND WING SPAR. BOTH WINGS HAD RIB DAMAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN12LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA195), Mar 20, 2012: Piper PA-28-140 (N8421R), Indianapolis, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot did not maintain directional control while practicing a soft-field takeoff.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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