# NTSB ATL83LA074: Piper PA-28-140, N32804, Nelly'S Ford, VA, December 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1982, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Nelly'S Ford, VA
- Coordinates: 37.850509, -78.750892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8505&lon=-78.7509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA074

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - object - fence
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL RIGHT RUDDER BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO STRAIGHTEN THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT REDUCED THE POWER AND APPLIED BRAKES. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. FIFTEEN KNOT LEFT, GUSTY CROSSWINDS WERE REPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32804](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32804-2023-09-30), registration cancelled 2023-09-30, S/N 28-7525114, built 1974 (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: 28-7525114
- Airframe hours: 1771
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sunrise Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sunrise Aviation, Inc.
- Departed: NELLY'S FORD, VA
- Destination: NELLY'S FORD, VA
- Airport: Rockfish Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 101 total, 101 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 156 °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 19821225066789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821225066789A), Dec 25, 1982: Piper PA28140, Nellys Ford, VA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll. Aborted but ran off side of runway and struck a fence gate.

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.

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