# NTSB ATL87LA134: Piper PA-11, N8024L, Butler, AL, May 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1987, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Butler, AL
- Coordinates: 32.080123, -88.219306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0801&lon=-88.2193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA134

## 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
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT REPORTED THAT A GUST OF WIND 'CAUGHT' THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL; HE SUBSEQUENTLY 'LOST CONTROL' AND THE AIRPLANE 'WENT DOWN'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8024L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8024L-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 11-69, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-11
- Registry model: [Piper PA-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-11) (registry code 7101102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11-69
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dr. Willie F. Kelley, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1986, 52 hours before
- Airport: 9A, Choctaw Co., runway 29, 4,085 × 80 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 39 total, 25 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEI, 35 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 19870508015339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870508015339A), May 8, 1987: Piper PA11, Butler, AL, Substantial damage. Lost control on climbout when a side gust of wind raised a wing. Crashed along side of the runway.

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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