# NTSB ATL90LA149: Piper PA-24-250, N5278P, Concord, NC, July 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1990, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Concord, NC
- Coordinates: 35.399581, -80.589157 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3996&lon=-80.5892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA149

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION, IN THAT HE DID NOT FULLY CONSIDER THE EFFECTS OF HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS AND A POOR RUNWAY SURFACE CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON TAKEOFF ROLL AND DETERMINED THAT HE COULD NOT CLIMB ABOVE TREES LOCATED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND COULD NOT BRING THE AIRPLANE TO A STOP IN THE REMAINING RUNWAY DISTANCE. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED HIGH WEEDS AND CONTACTED A DITCH WHICH WAS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE RUNWAY. THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY WAS DIRT, BARE OF GRASS FROM FREQUENT LANDINGS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ACCUSTOMED TO MAKING TAKEOFFS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, WHERE THE DEPARTURE END OBSTRUCTIONS WERE NOT AS HIGH. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT HE WAS ABOUT 65 POUNDS UNDER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5278P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5278P), registered now, S/N 24-317, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-317
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hans P. Rogenmoser
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Airport: 4NC8, Goodnight'S, runway 33, 2,640 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 558 total, 271 in this make and model, 454 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900727031689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900727031689A), Jul 27, 1990: Piper PA24250, Concord, NC, Substantial damage. Believed unable to clear trees on takeoff,aborted late. Ran off end runway,nosed over in tall,grass-hidden ditch.

## Other investigations on N5278P (1)

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 CHI71FGA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FGA02), Jul 11, 1970: Piper PA-24 (N5278P), Chilo, 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.

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