# NTSB ATL91LA160: Piper PA-32-300D, N4164W, Chamblee, GA, August 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1991, 13:36 local (17:36 UTC)
- Place: Chamblee, GA
- Location: 33.8760° N, 84.3020° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DEKALB-PEACHTREE (PDK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8760&lon=-84.3020&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8458
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8458/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA160

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFT OFF WHEN HE FAILED TO IDENTIFY ROTATION AIRSPEED AND THE SUBSEQUENT INADVERTENT STALL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vr) - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT & HIS WIFE HAD PICKED UP THE AIRPLANE AFTER MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED.  DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT ROTATED, HE SAID, AT WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS ROTATION SPEED.  THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE IN GROUND EFFECT. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE LEFT WING DROPPED, AS IT STALLED, & THE NOSE FELL THROUGH.  THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED AS IT DESCENDED TO IMPACT ON THE LEFT WINGTIP.  IN HIS REPORT THE PILOT SAID THAT HE ROTATED AT TOO SLOW AN AIRSPEED & FAILED TO APPLY SUFFICIENT RIGHT RUDDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4164W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4164W-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 32-40238, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300D
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40238
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Woodall, Hunter E.
- Registered owner: Woodall, Hunter E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1990, 23 hours before
- Destination: 5N4, LINCOLNTON, NC
- Airport: PDK, Dekalb-Peachtree, runway 2, 3,744 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 480 total, 20 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK, 1 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 19910816034749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910816034749A), Aug 16, 1991: Piper PA32300, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Premature liftoff on hot day. Left wing stalled. Impacted near runway. Had also failed to compensate for torque.

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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