# NTSB ATL90FA115: Piper PA-32R-300, N5661F, Frankfort, KY, May 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1990, 10:09 local (14:09 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, KY
- Coordinates: 38.189857, -84.85997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1899&lon=-84.8600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8130
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8130/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA115

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT WITHIN THE CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITATIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Analysis

THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT AND HIS FIVE PASSENGERS WERE ATTEMPTING TO DEPART RUNWAY 24 AT FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, DURING THE TAKEOFF THE TAIL APPEARED TO BE DRAGGING THE RUNWAY, AND SPARKS WERE OBSERVED COMING FROM THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING WITH A NOSE UP PITCH ATTITUDE OF ABOUT 30 DEGREES AND HANGING ON THE PROPELLER. THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING SMOOTHLY, AND AT A HIGH RPM. AT ABOUT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A LEFT TURN, ROLLED INVERTED AND CRASHED. WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT'S CENTER OF GRAVITY EXCEEDED THE AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMIT.

## 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
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5661F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5661F-1996-04-25), registration cancelled 1996-04-25, S/N 32R7780015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7780015
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Burgess & Niple
- Registered owner: Donald B. Uldricks
- Destination: OWB, OWENSBORO, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FFT, Capital City, runway 24, 5,005 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,660 total, 10,660 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Observed at: LEX, 16 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 19900521016859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900521016859A), May 21, 1990: Piper PA32R300, Frankfort, KY, Destroyed, 6 fatal. Loaded near gross and behind CG lifted off nose high began left turn rolled over and crashed. Trim at full nosedown

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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