- Date
- May 13, 1993, 19:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place
- Paintsville, KY
- Injuries
- 2 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N6001UPiper PA-28-140
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 19, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930513013469A
- Case key
- 11944
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude or clearance from the terrain. Factors related to the accident were the unfavorable wind condition and the proximity of the hill to the runway.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that he attempted to takeoff on runway 13, but midfield he aborted that takeoff. He stated that he noticed the wind favored runway 31, so he switched runways. He reported that the takeoff was normal, his rate of climb 300 feet per minute and airspeed about 80 mph. He stated that during the climb he was about to make a right turn into the valley when he felt a downdraft to the rt side of the airplane. According to the FAA the airport is situated in a mountain valley with hills on both sides and a 400 foot hill located about 1500 feet beyond the departure end of runway 31. The local pilots when departing usually turn 60 degrees left or right to avoid the hill. A witness reported seeing the airplane approaching the hill, and making a steep right turn before it descended into the trees. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6001U
- Reported as
- Piper PA-28-140
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 28-26737
- Airframe hours
- 3,572
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-E2A, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Larry Williamson
- Registered owner
- Larry Williamson
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · January 2, 1993 · 21 hours before
- Departed
- 3I6
- Destination
- 3I6
- Airport
- 3I6 · Paintsville-Combs Field, runway 31, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 34
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 160 total · 92 in this make and model · 98 as pilot in command · 21 in the last 90 days · 9 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- HTS, 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.