# NTSB ATL95LA140: Piper PA-38-112, N6303A, Franklin, NC, July 19, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1995, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, NC
- Coordinates: 35.1804, -83.380256 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1804&lon=-83.3803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3599/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA140

## Probable cause

The pilot's premature lift-off, which resulted in a stall and collision with the ground.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - airspeed(vr) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PERFORMING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF, AND USED 'ONE NOTCH' OF FLAPS. AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRPLANE SETTLED, LOSING AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE, AND BEGAN DRIFTING LEFT. IT CONTACTED THE GROUND ON THE LEFT WING AND TAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN HIS REPORT, THE PILOT SAID HE LIFTED OFF EARLY, WITH INADEQUATE AIRSPEED.

## Factual narrative

On July 19, 1995, about 1420 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N6303A, collided with an embankment during takeoff from the Macon County Airport, Franklin, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, he was executing a short field takeoff. After lift off,  the airplane settled, losing airspeed and altitude, and began drifting to the left. He stated that the airplane contacted the ground with the left wing and tail, simultaneously. The pilot opined that "the cause was a combination of air temperature and lifting off too soon with inadequate airspeed."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6303A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6303A-1999-01-28), registration cancelled 1999-01-28, S/N 38-78A0374 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0374
- Airframe hours: 2402
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Cribbs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1995, 51 hours before
- Departed: 1A5
- Destination: 0A4, JOHNSON CITY, TN
- Airport: 1A5, Macon County, runway 7, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 594 total, 502 in this make and model, 519 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 45 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 19950719019199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950719019199A), Jul 19, 1995: Piper PA38112, Franklin, NC, Substantial damage. Short field takeoff practice. Lifted too early. Settled. Drifted. Left wing and tail hit ground. Cartwheeled.

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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