# NTSB CEN12LA195: Piper PA-28-140, N8421R, Indianapolis, IN, March 20, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 20, 2012, 17:25 local (21:25 UTC) - Place: Indianapolis, IN - Coordinates: 39.830833, -86.294441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8308&lon=-86.2944&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83186 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83186/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA195 ## Probable cause The student pilot did not maintain directional control while practicing a soft-field takeoff. ## 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-28-140, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102802), [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-28-140, 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-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a solo flight, the student pilot completed 3 takeoffs and landings before attempting a soft-field takeoff. He stated that the airplane began to veer left as the nose gear lifted off the runway, which he attempted to correct with an application of right rudder. He noted that he was unable to regain directional control and decided to abort the takeoff; the airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted a visual approach slope indicator and its associated power-supply box. The student pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Additionally, he noted that the accident could have been prevented had he maintained directional control with an increased input of right rudder in order to counteract the left-turning tendencies experienced during takeoff. ## Factual narrative On March 20, 2012, at 1725 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N8421R, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at Eagle Creek Airpark (KEYE), Indianapolis, Indiana. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Skyscrapers Aviation, LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed about 1700. The student pilot reported that he had successfully completed 3 takeoff-and-landings before attempting a soft-field takeoff on runway 21. He stated that the airplane began to veer left as the nose gear lifted off the runway, which he attempted to correct with an application of right rudder. He noted that he was unable to regain directional control and decided to abort the takeoff. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and impacted a visual approach slope indicator and its associated power-supply box during the aborted takeoff. The left wing main spar sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. The student pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Additionally, he noted that the accident could have been prevented had he maintained directional control with an increased input of right rudder in order to counteract the left-turning tendencies experienced during takeoff. At 1753, the airport's automated surface observing system reported the following weather conditions: wind 160 degrees at 8 knots, gusting 16 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky condition clear, temperature 28 degrees Celsius; dew point 13 degrees Celsius; altimeter setting 30.02 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8421R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8421R), registered now, S/N 28-22298, built 1966 (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: 28-22298 - Airframe hours: 2913 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 155 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Skyscrapers Aviation, LLC - Registered owner: Skyscrapers Aviation, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 2011 - Departed: KEYE, Indianapolis, IN - Destination: KEYE, Indianapolis, IN - Airport: KEYE, Eagle Creek Airpark, runway 21, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KEYE ## 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 20120320003199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120320003199A), Mar 20, 2012: Piper PA-28-140, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. During a simulated soft field takeoff, after power was applied and the nose wheel lifted off the ground, the airplane veered to the left and the student pilot… 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.