# NTSB CEN10CA518: Piper PA-28-140, N3969K, Anderson, IN, August 31, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 31, 2010, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Anderson, IN - Coordinates: 40.232498, -85.637496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2325&lon=-85.6375&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 11, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77200 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA518 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77200/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77200 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA518 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff due to degraded airplane performance. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting an introductory flight with two passengers. During departure, the airplane did not continue climbing or gain altitude due to the high density altitude. The airplane started to descend and he lowered the nose. The airplane continued to sink and it sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the accident flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was giving a "discovery flight." After takeoff from the 3400 foot runway, the airplane did not continue to climb or gain altitude. According to the pilot the airplane started to sink and he lowered the airplane's nose. The airplane continued to sink and it sustained substantial damage on impact with terrain. The pilot's accident report listed no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the accident flight. The calculated local density altitude was 3,099 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3969K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3969K), registered now, S/N 28-23853 (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: 28-23853 - Airframe hours: 4802 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: ANDAIR Aircraft Rental and Instruction - Registered owner: Anderson Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 2010 - Departed: AID, Anderson, IN - Destination: AID, Anderson, IN - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: AID, Anderson Municipal Airport, runway 18, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 87; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 17, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 9,275 total, 422 in this make and model, 8,249 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: AID ## 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 20100831044889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100831044889A), Aug 31, 2010: Piper PA-28-140, Anderson, IN, Substantial damage. A CFI was the PIC of a discovery flight with two passengers departing from kaid runway 18 on the evening of 31 August 2010. Winds were reported at 240 at 4… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77200. 964 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 964 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336680&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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. --- 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.