# NTSB ATL83LIJ03: Piper PA-28-140, N6575W, Bruceton Mills, WV, June 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1983, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Bruceton Mills, WV
- Coordinates: 39.650203, -79.639205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6502&lon=-79.6392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LIJ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LIJ03

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not identified, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF FROM A SHORT SOD PRIVATE STRIP. THE PRIVATELY OWNED GRASS STRIP IS APPROX. 800 FEET LONG WITH A 5 DEG UPGRADE FROM THE MIDWAY POINT. THE PILOT SAID HE REALIZED HE COULD NOT CLIMBFAST ENOUGH SO HE REDUCED POWER AND SETTLED TO THE END OF THE STRIP. HE STATED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP DUE TO WET GRASS AND THE ACFT KNOCKED DOWN 4 FENCE POSTS AND A CLOTHESLINE POST ALONG WITH 50 FEET OF 4 FOOT HIGH WIRE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6575W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6575W), registered now, S/N 28-20656, built 1965 (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: 28-20656
- Airframe hours: 3220
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth Childester
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1981, 14 hours before
- Airport: Private Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830618026819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830618026819A), Jun 18, 1983: Piper PA28140, Bruceton Mills, WV, Substantial damage. Low speed on takeoff roll. Aborted late on wet grass. Went thru a fence. Expired medical and annual. No endorsement

## Other investigations on N6575W (2)

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 CEN25LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA049), Nov 24, 2024: Piper PA-28-140 (N6575W), Camdenton, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s poor flight planning which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CHI68F0456](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0456), Nov 27, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N6575W), Cincinnati, OH, substantial damage

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.