# NTSB CEN10CA147: Piper PA-28-140, N6852W, Martinsville, IN, March 6, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 6, 2010, 13:21 local (18:21 UTC)
- Place: Martinsville, IN
- Coordinates: 39.408889, -86.444168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4089&lon=-86.4442&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 1, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75470
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75470/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75470
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA147

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his exceedance of the airplane's takeoff capability.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md)
- [Maintenance/inspections: time limits](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010510): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not serviced/maintained; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010510/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010510/cases.md)
- [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02010000): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02010000/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02010000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting a takeoff on runway 27 when the airplane overran the runway and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage, which included a damaged firewall and right wing. The nearest weather reporting station recorded variable winds at 3 knots about 30 minutes after the accident. The pilot and three passengers were uninjured. Examination of the airplane revealed that it was about 131 pounds over gross takeoff weight at the time of the accident. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was overdue for an annual inspection since it was last inspected in January 2009. The pilot's airman medical certificate was expired after his airman medical application for a third class medical was denied on August 13, 2007.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was attempting a takeoff on runway 27 (2,000 feet by 90 feet, turf) when the airplane overran the runway and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage, which included a damaged firewall and right wing. The nearest weather reporting station recorded variable winds at 3 knots about 30 minutes after the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed that it was about 131 pounds over gross takeoff weight at the time of the accident. No mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was overdue for an annual inspection since it was last inspected in January 2009. The pilot's airman medical certificate was expired after his airman medical application for a third class medical was denied on August 13, 2007.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6852W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6852W), registered now, S/N 28-21008, 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: 28-21008
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot
- Registered owner: Pilot
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 2009
- Departed: 90IN, Martinsville, IN
- Destination: 90IN, Martinsville, IN
- Airport: 90IN, McDaniel's Field, runway 27, 2,000 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 1,600 total, 600 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Observed at: BMG, 17 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 20100306029019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100306029019A), Mar 6, 2010: Piper PA-28-140, Martinsville, IN, Substantial damage. Aircraft was loaded 131 pounds over maximum gross weight and the pilot attempted to take-off from a 2000 foot grass runway. Aircraft was unable to climb after…

## Other investigations on N6852W (2)

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 LAX74AUQ22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74AUQ22), Dec 8, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N6852W), Valencia, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX67D0122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67D0122), Sep 17, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N6852W), Acton, CA, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75470. 1.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328091&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Weather (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather-Master.PDF

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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