# NTSB ATL93LA153: Piper PA-28-140, N410SF, Roxboro, NC, September 10, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 1993, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Roxboro, NC - Coordinates: 36.399551, -78.97953 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3996&lon=-78.9795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3259 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3259/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA153 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS WERE THE WIND GUSTS AND WINDSHEAR EXISTING AT THE AIRPORT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Hard landing, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A WIND SHEAR WAS ENCOUNTERED. HE ELECTED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE ABOUT 4,000 FEET DOWN THE 5,000 FOOT LONG RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE RESULTED. THE RECORDED WEATHER DATA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT REVEALED SURFACE WINDS VARIABLE FROM 210 TO 340 DEGREES, AT SPEEDS OF 7 KNOTS, WITH GUSTS TO 18 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 1993, at about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N410SF, collided with the runway during takeoff from the Person County Airport in Roxboro, North Carolina. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Ocracoke, North Carolina. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the following: Shortly after takeoff, a windshear was encountered. He had difficulty maintaining altitude, and elected to land the aircraft about 4,000 feet down the 5,000 foot long runway. The aircraft landed hard on the runway surface, and came to rest on the runway. The winds recorded at the airport at the time of the accident were from 210 degrees, variable to 340 degrees, at speeds of 7 knots, with gusts to 18 knots. The pilot reported light to moderate turbulence associated with the winds. He checked the weather observation about 30 minutes prior to the accident, as well as shortly before departure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N410SF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N410SF), registered now, S/N 28-21000, 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: 28-21000 - Airframe hours: 4383 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Myers, Harry - Registered owner: Myers, Harry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1992, 18 hours before - Destination: W95, OCRACOKE, NC - Airport: TDF, Person County, runway 24, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 270 total, 185 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TDF ## 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 19930910042189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930910042189A), Sep 10, 1993: Piper PA28140, Roxboro, NC, Substantial damage. Windshear after liftoff. Aborted and slammed hard onto runway. Gusty crosswind. Too slow for proper control. ## Other investigations on N410SF (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 LAX66F0223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66F0223), Jan 12, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N410SF), Santa Monica, CA, 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.