# NTSB CEN12CA542: Piper PA-36-285, N204AB, Harvey, ND, August 8, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 7, 2012, 19:45 local (Aug 8, 2012, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Harvey, ND - Coordinates: 47.693611, -99.961944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6936&lon=-99.9619&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84663 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA542 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84663/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84663 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA542 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum gross weight on a turf runway and with a tailwind, and his subsequent failure to maintain airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-36-285, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to taking off on the aerial application flight, the pilot loaded applicant and fuel which, as reported by the pilot, put the airplane slightly over its maximum gross weight. In addition, he checked the automated report for the nearest airplane weather facility, which reported wind from the north at 4 knots. The pilot departed the private strip, a 2,600 foot-long turf and asphalt runway, to the south toward a river. While on the takeoff roll, with a tailwind, the pilot rotated the airplane for takeoff at the usual rotation point. The airplane climbed to about 3 feet then settled back to the runway. With a quarter of the runway remaining, the pilot continued the takeoff, increased flaps, and verified that the throttle and propeller controls were full forward. The pilot again rotated the airplane and was able to climb about 4 feet when the airplane again settled back to the ground. The pilot then dumped the application load and tried to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane continued a short distance to the opposite river bank, impacted terrain, and slid on its belly. The pilot reported that during the preflight checks the airplane had adequate oil and the fuel was sumped of any water. In addition, the pilot reported normal engine instrumentation prior to the takeoff roll. ## Factual narrative Prior to takeoff on the aerial application flight the pilot loaded applicant and fuel which, as reported by the pilot, put the airplane slightly over maximum gross weight. In addition, he checked the automated report for the nearest airplane weather facility, which reported wind from the north at four knots. The pilot departed the private strip, a 2,600 foot long turf and asphalt runway, to the south towards a river. While on takeoff roll, with a tailwind, the airplane was rotated for takeoff at the “normal” rotation point. The airplane climbed to about three feet then settled back to the runway. With a quarter of the runway remaining, the pilot continued the takeoff, increased flaps, and verified the throttle and propeller controls were full forward. The pilot again rotated the airplane and was able to climb about four feet when the airplane again settled back to the ground. The pilot then dumped the application load and tried to maintain control of the airplane. The airplane flew a short distance to the opposite river bank, impacted terrain, and slid on its belly. The pilot reported in preflight checks, the airplane had adequate oil and the fuel was sumped of any water. In addition, the pilot reported normal engine instrumentation prior to takeoff roll. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N204AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N204AB-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 36-7660023, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720-A1B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-a1b) (registry code 41949, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-7660023 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Taylor Ag Services Inc - Registered owner: Taylor Ag Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Harvey, ND - Destination: Harvey, ND - Airport: Private strip, runway 36, 2,600 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 638 total, 56 in this make and model, 447 as pilot in command, 225 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: K5H4, 6 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 20120808018029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120808018029A), Aug 8, 2012: Piper PA-36-285, Harvey, ND, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that nearing rotation speed, aircraft lifted, then settled back down on runway and did not appear to want to fly. Aircraft lifted off runway and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 29, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84663. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 969 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Correspondence with FAA inspector (item 2, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375903&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence%20with%20FAA%20inspector-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.