# NTSB ATL82FLA01: Piper PA-28-140, N5841U, Hoboken, GA, March 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1982, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Hoboken, GA
- Coordinates: 31.180727, -82.129165 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1807&lon=-82.1292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71043
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FLA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71043/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FLA01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, HE ACCELERATED TO 68 MPH, THEN REALIZED HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO CLEAR TREES. HE STATED THAT HE CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE, AIMED THE AIRCRAFT AT AN OPENING IN THE TREES, AND MAINTAINED A LEVEL ATTITUDE UNTIL IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TREES ABOUT 18 FT AGL. THE LANDING STRIP WAS ABOUT 1700 FT LONG AND SLOPED UPHILL AT APPROXIMATELY A 3 DEGREE ANGLE TO ABOUT MIDFIELD. ABOUT HALF OF THE STRIP APPEARED TO BE FRESHLY PLOWED AND HAD BEEN DRAGGED WITH A BAR TO SMOOTH OUT THE HIGH SPOTS AND WAS STILL SOFT. THE TREES AT THE END OF THE STRIP WERE ABOUT 50 FEET TALL. THE PERFORMANCE CHART FOR THIS AIRCRAFT SHOWED THAT APPROXIMATELY 1700 FT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR TAKEOFF WITHOUT CONSIDERATION OF THE UPWARD SLOPE AND SOFT SURFACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5841U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5841U-2013-02-01), registration cancelled 2013-02-01, S/N 28-26672, built 1969 (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: 26672
- Airframe hours: 12350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ch Stokes
- Registered owner: Ch Stokes
- Departed: HOBOKEN, GA
- Destination: HOBOKEN, GA
- Airport: runway 9, 1,700 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,045 total, 190 in this make and model, 1,045 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °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 19820323005189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820323005189A), Mar 23, 1982: Piper PA28140, Hoboken, GA, Substantial damage. Began takeoff from 1700-foot uphill, soft, sod strip. Struck trees. Failed to allow for upslope and soft ground.

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.