# NTSB ANC01LA073: Piper PA-28-140, N9581W, Haines, AK, June 23, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 2001, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Haines, AK - Coordinates: 59.219165, -135.304168 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2192&lon=-135.3042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-JNU FSDO 05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 52654 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52654/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA073 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Factors in the accident were soft terrain, and the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was taking off from a soft area of tidal beach. Following a soft-field takeoff, the pilot said he allowed the airplane to climb to about 20 feet above the ground, and then held the airplane in ground effect to build airspeed. He said the airplane then encountered a downdraft, and settled onto the ground. The pilot aborted the takeoff, pulled the engine power to idle, raised the flaps, and applied maximum braking. The airplane skidded about 70 yards, and went over a small berm at the end of the takeoff area. The main landing gear struck a log, and the airplane came to rest against a small hill. The pilot said the right main landing gear was torn out of the wing, and the left main landing gear scissor was broken, allowing the left main gear strut to fall out of its housing. The leading edge of the right wing, and the right flap were also damaged. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2001, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N9581W, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from a tidal area, about eight miles east of Haines, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 23, the pilot reported that he was taking off to the south from a soft area of tidal beach. Following a soft-field takeoff, the pilot said he allowed the airplane to climb to about 20 feet above the ground, and then held the airplane in ground effect to build airspeed. He said the airplane then encountered a downdraft, and settled onto the ground. The pilot aborted the takeoff, pulled the engine power to idle, raised the flaps, and applied maximum braking. The airplane skidded about 70 yards, and went over a small berm at the end of the takeoff area. The main landing gear struck a log, and the airplane came to rest against a small hill. The pilot said the right main landing gear was torn out of the wing, and the left main landing gear scissor was broken, allowing the left main gear strut to fall out of its housing. The leading edge of the right wing, and the right flap were also damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9581W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9581W-2003-02-25), registration cancelled 2003-02-25, S/N 28-23026, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-23026 - Airframe hours: 2459 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cable E. Wells - Registered owner: Steve Wilson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 2001, 112 hours before - Departed: HAINES, AK - Destination: PAHN, HAINES, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 23, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 142 total, 130 in this make and model, 111 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 88 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 50 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010623039339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010623039339A), Jun 23, 2001: Piper PA28140, Katzehin Flat, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft had 3 persons on board, take off area was a beach wide, Flat and slightly soft sand and gravel. Aircraft broke ground only in ground effect.… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.