# NTSB CEN15LA405: Piper PA-36-375, N1057E, Elmwood, NE, September 9, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 9, 2015, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Elmwood, NE - Coordinates: 40.856388, -96.216667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8564&lon=-96.2167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Lincoln FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91954 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA405 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91954/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91954 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA405 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off with the airplane near its maximum gross weight from a runway that did not have sufficient length for the airplane to achieve a normal takeoff and positive climb rate after liftoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/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-36-375, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7103620), [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 · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-375, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7103620), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before the accident flight, the agricultural application airplane was loaded with 1,500 lbs of seed and 40 gallons of aviation fuel. He reported that there were no anomalies with the airplane during the five previous flights that day or the before-takeoff engine run-up. The accident takeoff was made from a private airstrip toward the south with the flaps partially extended. After applying full engine power, the pilot released the brakes, and the airplane accelerated down the runway. The airplane's tail became airborne about three-quarters down the runway at 75 mph. Although the airplane became airborne before reaching the end of the runway, it was unable to gain additional airspeed or achieve a positive climb rate. The airplane remained in ground effect as it crossed over the runway departure threshold, but it subsequently settled into a corn crop about 1/4 mile past the end of the runway. The pilot stated that he believed that the accident could have been prevented if he had reduced the payload weight for the accident flight. The pilot reported that, at the time of the accident takeoff, the airplane weighed about 4,500 lbs, which was about 300 lbs below the airplane's maximum gross weight. According to local weather reports, the wind was light and variable at the time of the accident. Performance calculations revealed that, during takeoff at 4,500 lbs with the flaps fully retracted, with no headwind, and from a level hard-surface runway, the airplane would have required about 1,750 ft of runway to achieve liftoff and about 2,650 ft to clear a 50-ft obstacle. The north-south turf runway was 2,600 ft long. The Pilot's Operating Handbook did not provide takeoff performance data for operations from a grass/turf runway or with flaps extended. According to the available performance data, the airplane would likely have required additional runway length to achieve a normal takeoff and positive climb rate after liftoff. ## Factual narrative On September 9, 2015, about 1830 central daylight time, a Piper model PA-36-375 single-engine airplane, N1057E, was substantially damaged when it collided with a corn crop shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip located near Elmwood, Nebraska. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Stove Creek Air, LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial-application flight that was originating at the time of the accident.The pilot reported that, on the day of the accident, he had completed numerous aerial-application flights from the private airstrip. The pilot reported that the airplane and its engine had been operating normally during the previous flights. Before the accident flight, the airplane was loaded with 1,500 lbs of seed and 40 gallons (240 lbs) of aviation fuel. The pilot stated that there were no anomalies with the airplane during his preflight inspection or before-takeoff engine run-up. He reported that the accident takeoff was made toward the south and that he initially used a partial flap extension. After the application of full engine power, he released the brakes and the airplane accelerated down the runway. The pilot reported that the airplane's tail became airborne about 3/4 down the runway at 75 mph. He stated that although the airplane had become airborne before the end of the runway, he was unable to gain additional airspeed or achieve a positive climb rate. The airplane remained in ground effect as it crossed over the runway departure threshold, but it subsequently settled into the corn crop about 1/4 mile past the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage, empennage, and an engine mount. The main landing gear also collapsed during the off-field landing. According to the pilot, at the time of the accident takeoff, the airplane weighed about 4,500 lbs, which was about 300 lbs below the airplane's maximum gross weight of 4,800 lbs. According to local weather reports, the wind was light-and-variable at the time of the accident. According to performance calculations, the airplane, at 4,500 lbs and with the flaps fully retracted, with no headwind, on a level hard-surface runway, would have required about 1,750 feet of runway to achieve liftoff and about 2,650 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. The north/south turf runway was 2,600 feet long. The pilot operating handbook did not provide takeoff performance data for operations from a grass/turf runway or with flaps extended. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, he stated that he believed the accident could have been prevented if he had reduced the payload weight for the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1057E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1057E-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 36-7902012, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-375 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720-D1CD](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-d1cd) (registry code 41959, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-7902012 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 4900 - Engines: Lycoming IO-720-D1CD 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Stove Creek Air, LLC - Registered owner: Stove Creek Air, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 4, 2015, 100 hours before - Departed: PVT, Elmwood, NE - Destination: PVT, Elmwood, NE - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 18, 2,600 × 70 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 8, 2015; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,232 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,015 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: PMV, 15 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 20150909016109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150909016109A), Sep 9, 2015: Piper PA-36-375, Elmwood, NE, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed a sod strip of approximately 2,800 feet during day VMC conditions. The operation was under 14 CFR 137 to conduct an aerial application of… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91954. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 896 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433672&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-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.