# NTSB CEN18LA052: Piper PA 28R-200, N550D, Riverton, WY, December 25, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 24, 2017, 17:40 local (Dec 25, 2017, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Riverton, WY - Coordinates: 43.064167, -108.459724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0642&lon=-108.4597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 9, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 96485 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96485/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96485 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA052 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during the rejected takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airport runway configuration, which led to his premature attempt to take off, and the airplane’s inoperative landing light. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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-28R-200, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of charts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063025/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063025/cases.md) - [Lighting system: exterior lighting](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023340/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was attempting to take off and noted that the airplane's landing light was not working. Although the runway lights provided him with good visibility, his depth perception was limited. As the airplane approached the intersection with the crossing runway during the takeoff roll, the pilot thought that the airplane was approaching the end of the runway. He rotated the airplane to lift off, but it had not gained enough airspeed to become airborne, so he decided to reject the takeoff. As he reduced engine power, he lost directional control, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that there were no issues with the airplane during the accident takeoff other than the inoperative landing light. He noted that a better review of the airport diagram and a working landing light might have improved his situational awareness during the takeoff. ## Factual narrative On December 24, 2017, about 1740 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, N550D, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion on takeoff from runway 28 (8,204 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) at the Riverton Regional Airport (RIW), Riverton, Wyoming. The pilot and four passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to Oracle Aviation, LLC and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The intended destination was the Stanford Field Airport (U12), St Anthony, Idaho.The pilot stated that he initially departed from Millard Airport (MLE), with planned fuel stops at Gordon Municipal Airport (GRN) and RIW. After refueling at RIW, the pilot recognized that the landing light was not working. He noted that it was working during the previous flight into RIW. The pilot recalled having good visibility with the runway lights, but he did not have good depth perception. As the airplane approached the intersection with the crossing runway during the takeoff roll, he thought that they were approaching the end of the runway. He rotated the airplane in an attempt to lift off, but the airplane had not gained enough airspeed to become airborne at that point. He decided to reject the takeoff and, as he reduced engine power, he lost directional control and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that there were no issues with the airplane during the accident takeoff, other than the inoperative landing light. He noted that a functioning landing light and a better review of the airport diagram might have prevented the accident. A review of the available weight and balance data indicated that pilot's calculation was complete and correct, and that the airplane was loaded within limits during the accident takeoff. The airplane was equipped with four seats and seatbelts. The pilot stated that two children occupied one seat and were sharing a seatbelt at the time of the accident takeoff. Federal Aviation Administration regulations do not require a landing light for operations under Part 91 unless they are conducted for hire. However, any inoperative equipment must be deactivated and placarded according to the regulations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N550D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N550D-2019-05-06), registration cancelled 2019-05-06, S/N 28R-35783, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28R-200 (200) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-35783 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 4095.5 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 2017, 42 hours before - Departed: RIW, Riverton, WY - Destination: U12, St. Anthony, ID - Airport: RIW, Riverton Regional, runway 28, 8,204 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 28, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 109 total, 14 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 60° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -8 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: RIW, 1 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 20171224023779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171224023779A), Dec 24, 2017: Piper PA-28R-200, Riverton, WY, Substantial damage. The pilot decided to take off from Riverton, Wyoming with an inoperative landing light. During take off roll the pilot thought he was running out of runway… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96485. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459957&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Weight & Balance Data - Accident Flight (Provided by Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459958&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weight%20%26%20Balance%20Data%20-%20Accident%20Flight%20(Provided%20by%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records - Excerpt (item 3, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459959&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Airplane Flight Manual - Excerpt (item 4, .PDF, 371 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459960&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Flight%20Manual%20-%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Airplane Owner's Handbook - Excerpt (item 5, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459961&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Owner%27s%20Handbook%20-%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - FAA Type Certificate 2A13 (PA-28) - Excerpt (item 6, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Type%20Certificate%202A13%20(PA-28)%20-%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - FAA Regulations - Excerpt (item 7, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Regulations%20-%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - FAA Clarification of Prior Interpretations of Seat Belt/Seating Requirements for General Aviation Flights (item 8, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Clarification%20of%20Prior%20Interpretations%20of%20Seat%20Belt%2FSeating%20Requirements%20for%20General%20Aviation%20Flights-Master.PDF - Airport Information - RIW (item 9, .PDF, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Information%20-%20RIW-Master.PDF - Weather Documentation (item 10, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Documentation-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.