# NTSB ATL05CA058: Piper PA-28-140, N7209J, Suches, GA, March 6, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 6, 2005, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Suches, GA - Coordinates: 34.698333, -84.013336 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6983&lon=-84.0133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Atlanta FSDO - 11 - NTSB case key (mKey): 61112 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61112/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA058 ## Probable cause The pilot's premature liftoff and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush to the runway and subsequent collision with a fence during aborted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - grass - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot stated the windsock showed little to no wind, the takeoff was performed with no flaps, and he held the brakes to allow the engine rpm to come up before initiating the takeoff roll. The pilot stated that the airplane's engine rpm and speed seemed "normal" during the takeoff roll. The pilot stated that the airplane lifted off the runway and climbed a few feet, then settled back onto the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff, reduced engine power, and applied the brakes. The airplane continued off the end of the runway and through a fence before coming to stop approximately 100 feet from the end of the runway. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. High Valley Airpark is a private grass airstrip approximately 2,000 feet long and 60 feet wide at an elevation of approximately 2,800 feet. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 2005, about 1715 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N7209J, registered to and operated by the private pilot, collided with trees following an aborted takeoff at High Valley Airpark private airstrip in Suches, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot and the passenger reported no injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating from runway 20 at the time of the accident. The pilot stated the windsock showed little to no wind, the takeoff was performed with no flaps, and he held the brakes to allow the engine rpm to come up before initiating the takeoff roll. The pilot stated airplane's engine rpm and speed seemed "normal" during the takeoff roll. The pilot stated the airplane lifted off the runway and climbed a few feet, then settled back onto the runway. The pilot stated he decided to abort the takeoff, and he reduced the engine power and applied the brakes. The airplane continued off the end of the runway and through a fence before coming to stop approximately 100 feet from the end of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the nose gear, firewall, wings, and propeller. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. High Valley Airpark is a private grass airstrip approximately 2,000 feet long and 60 feet wide at an elevation of approximately 2,800 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7209J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7209J-2013-05-06), registration cancelled 2013-05-06, S/N 28-24542, built 1968 (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: 28-24542 - Airframe hours: 4597 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James A Ward - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2004 - Departed: GA87, Suches, GA - Destination: KS17, Graniteville, SC - Airport: GA87, High Valley Airpark (private), runway 20, 2,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 24, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 159 total, 110 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KDNN, 43 nm away ## 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 20050306003719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050306003719A), Mar 6, 2005: Piper PA28140, Suches, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that during what started out to be a normal take off roll the aircraft lifted off and abruptly settled back onto the runway. He stated… 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.