# NTSB CEN12CA380: Piper PA-28-181, N721SM, Sheboygan, WI, June 15, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 15, 2012, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Sheboygan, WI - Coordinates: 43.769721, -87.851669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7697&lon=-87.8517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA380 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84019/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84019 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA380 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## 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-28-181, 53 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the airplane accelerated through about 50 knots during the takeoff roll, the airplane's right wing began to lift. When the pilot attempted to lower the right wing, the airplane veered to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane entered a ditch and came to rest upright and partially submerged in water. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During takeoff from runway 21 at an airspeed of 50 knots, the airplane's right wing began to lift. When the pilot attempted to lower the right wing, the airplane veered to the left. The airplane continued to the left and exited the left side of the runway. The airplane entered a ditch and came to rest upright partially submerged in water. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N721SM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N721SM), registered now, S/N 2843337, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2843337 - Airframe hours: 2505 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 5, 2012 - Departed: SBM, Sheboygan, WI - Destination: 3CK, Lake in the Hil, IL - Airport: SBM, Sheboygan County Memorial, runway 21, 6,800 × 100 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 79 total, 8 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg ## 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 20120615010049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120615010049A), Jun 15, 2012: Piper PA-28-181, Sheboygan, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to take off from runway 21 at ksbm. Southeast winds gusting to 18 KTS existed at the time of departure. Due to incorrect crosswind correction… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84019. 698 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 698 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.