# NTSB CEN16LA255: Piper PA 25-235, N6803Z, Arlington, WI, July 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 2016, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WI - Coordinates: 43.333332, -89.520835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3333&lon=-89.5208&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 93562 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93562/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93562 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA255 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to establish proper airspeed and angle-of-attack during takeoff with the airplane at its maximum gross weight in elevated density altitude and gusting tailwind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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-25-235, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/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-25-235, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102504), [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-25-235, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that he was conducting an agricultural application flight with the airplane at its maximum gross takeoff weight. He added that, after taking off toward the west, the airplane settled into a cornfield. He stated that there were no failures or malfunctions with the airplane preceding the accident, that the engine was running "fine," and that there were no flight control anomalies at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that the prevailing wind was from the east gusting to 18 knots, which resulted in a gusting tailwind during the takeoff. The density altitude was calculated to be about 3,000 ft. It is likely that the combined effects of the airplane operating at its maximum gross weight, the elevated density altitude, and the gusting tailwind resulted in the airplane becoming airborne at an airspeed that could not be maintained outside of ground effect. The pilot subsequently failed to maintain the proper angle-of-attack as he attempted to climb the airplane out of ground effect, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 2016, about 1650 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N6803Z, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after takeoff from runway 27 (2,500 feet by 50 feet, turf) at a private airstrip in Arlington, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Kazs Flying Service, Ltd. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.The pilot reported that the airplane settled into a corn field about one-quarter mile west of the airstrip after takeoff. The airplane was operating at the maximum gross takeoff weight. He stated that there were no failures or malfunctions with the airplane preceding the accident. He informed a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that the engine was running "fine" and there were no flight control anomalies at the time of the accident. Weather conditions at the Dane County Regional Airport, located about 13 miles south of the accident site, at 1653, included: wind from 090 degrees at 10 knots; temperature 24 degrees Celsius; dew point 11 degrees Celsius; and altimeter 30.01 inches of mercury. The preceding observation, at 1553, included: wind from 110 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots; temperature 25 degrees Celsius; dew point 12 degrees Celsius; and altimeter 30.03 inches of mercury. The associated density altitudes were about 2,117 feet and 2,219 feet, respectively. The pilot noted that the airstrip was about 1,060 feet elevation and the prevailing wind was from the east (090 degrees) at 5 knots, with gusts to 18 knots. The temperature was about 30 degrees Celsius. Based on these conditions, the associated density altitude was about 3,020 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6803Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6803Z), registered now, S/N 25-2452, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 25-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-2452 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 10234.9 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Kazs Flying Service Ltd. - Registered owner: Kazs Flying Service Ltd. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 2016, 70 hours before - Departed: PVT, Arlington, WI - Destination: PVT, Arlington, WI - Airport: PVT, Kazs Flying Service, runway 27, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,850 total, 9,700 in this make and model, 8,904 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: MSN, 13 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 20160703011519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160703011519A), Jul 3, 2016: Piper PA-25-235, Arlington, WI, Destroyed. On July 3, 2016, at 1650 CST, N6803Z, a Piper PA-25 agricultural aircraft was substantially damaged when the pilot lost control on take-off from a private… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93562. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 780 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Conversation Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Density Altitude Calculations (item 3, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443725&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Density%20Altitude%20Calculations-Master.PDF - Weather Data - Dane County Regional Airport (item 4, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443726&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data%20-%20Dane%20County%20Regional%20Airport-Master.PDF - FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge - Excerpts (item 5, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443727&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Pilot%27s%20Handbook%20of%20Aeronautical%20Knowledge%20-%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - FAA Airplane Flying Handbook - Excerpt (item 6, .PDF, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443728&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Airplane%20Flying%20Handbook%20-%20Excerpt-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.