# NTSB CEN13CA475: Piper PA-28-180, N7811W, Poteau, OK, August 10, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2013, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Poteau, OK - Coordinates: 35.019443, -94.621391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0194&lon=-94.6214&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 September 5, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 87722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA475 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87722/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87722 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA475 ## Probable cause The pilot’s application of excessive left rudder during the takeoff roll, resulting in a loss of directional control, his failure to correct the excursion with opposite rudder, and his failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/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-28-180, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The 23-hour student pilot was attempting a soft field takeoff. He stated that he began the takeoff roll and applied full aft elevator control. As the nose came up and the airplane lifted off the ground, he lowered to nose slightly. He thought he may have applied too much left rudder because he noticed the airplane was headed towards the left side of the runway and grass. He reduced power and touched down on the runway. The airplane continued towards the grass. The pilot applied full power and the airplane continued the excursion. The pilot said he "froze" and was "just along for the ride." He could not recall any further details. The left wing, outboard of the fuel tank, was torn off and the right main landing gear was embedded in the right wing. ## Factual narrative The 23-hour student pilot was attempting a soft field takeoff. He stated that he began the takeoff roll and applied full aft elevator control. As the nose came up and the airplane lifted off the ground, he lowered to nose slightly. He thought he may have applied too much left rudder because he noticed the airplane was headed towards the left side of the runway and grass. He reduced power and touched down on the runway. The airplane continued towards the grass. The pilot applied full power and the airplane continued the excursion. The pilot said he "froze" and was "just along for the ride." He could not recall any further details. The left wing, outboard of the fuel tank, was torn off and the right main landing gear was embedded in the right wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7811W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7811W-2015-05-14), registration cancelled 2015-05-14, S/N 28-1818, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-1818 - Airframe hours: 4252 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: R. Evan Gallant - Registered owner: R. Evan Gallant - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2013 - Departed: KRKR, Poteau, OK - Destination: KRKR, Poteau, OK - Airport: KRKR, Robert S. Kerr, runway 18, 4,006 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 46; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 22 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KFSM, 23 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 20130810015619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130810015619A), Aug 10, 2013: Piper PA-28-180, Poteau, OK, Substantial damage. Aircraft exited the left side of the runway traveled about 150 yards before hitting a small tree and coming to rest in a ditch with the outer 7 feet of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87722. 2.3 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399083&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399139&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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.