# NTSB ATL95LA158: Piper PA-28-140, N44784, Bolivar, TN, August 16, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1995, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Bolivar, TN - Coordinates: 35.260562, -88.989395 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2606&lon=-88.9894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3616 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3616/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA158 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his improper use of the throttle. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The student pilot was on his second supervised solo flight. During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered left, departed the runway, and collided with a ditch. The student reported that the nose wheel began shimmying during the takeoff, and that he was unable to stop the airplane's drift. According to the instructor, who was observing the takeoff, the student delayed reducing the engine power when the airplane began drifting off of the runway. The owner reported that the nose wheel had been inspected by a mechanic on the same day, prior to the flight. A postaccident examination of the nose gear assembly did not reveal any deficiencies that would have affected its operation prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1995, about 1245 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N44784, collided with a ditch during the takeoff roll from the William L. Whitehurst Field, Bolivar, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisionsof 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for thesupervised, solo, instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Therewere no injuries to the student pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged.The airplane had departed about 1200 from Jackson, Tennessee. The student was conducting his second supervised solo flight. He and his instructor had flown from Jackson, Tennessee, to Bolivar, and the instructor had exited the airplane to allow the solo flight. According to the owner of the airplane, the student reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane had a nose wheel shimmy and began veering left. He stated that he was unable to arrest the course departure with right rudder input. A statement from the instructor, who was observing the takeoff, indicated that the rudder was displaced toward the right as the airplane departed the runway. The instructor also stated that the student delayed reducing the power when the airplane began veering off the runway. The owner said that a mechanic had inspected the airplane the same morning, for a previous report of a nose wheel shimmy, and no abnormalities had been discovered. The wind at the time of the accident was reported to be calm. Following the accident, the airplane was examined by an airworthiness inspector from the Memphis, Tennessee, Flight Standards District Office. He reported that he discovered no discrepancies with the nose landing gear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44784](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44784-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 28-7525004, built 1974 (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: 287525004 - Airframe hours: 4421 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Alec S. Bari - Registered owner: Mark Fairless - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1995, 70 hours before - Departed: MKL, JACKSON, TN - Destination: M08 - Airport: M08, Whitehurst Field, runway 19, 4,004 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22 total, 22 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MKL, 30 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 19950816024159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950816024159A), Aug 16, 1995: Piper PA28140, Bolivar, TN, Substantial damage. Second solo. Veered off runway. Struck a ditch. Delayed action to reduce power to stop prior to ditch. 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.