# NTSB CEN20CA052: Piper PA28R, N3849T, Onaga, KS, December 31, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 31, 2019, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Onaga, KS - Coordinates: 39.498054, -96.175003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4981&lon=-96.1750&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: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 100751 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100751/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100751 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA052 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to take off with the airplane at a high gross weight from a short, turf runway, which degraded its climb performance and led to a delayed aborted takeoff, a runway excursion, and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/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-28R-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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 lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102809), [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-28R-180, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to depart from a 2,200-ft-long turf runway with three passengers onboard. After the airplane lifted off the ground, the pilot noted that it was not accelerating, and it settled back to the ground. Concerned with clearing a shed off the end of the runway, the pilot aborted the takeoff. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway into a valley. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The takeoff performance chart for the airplane, which weighed close to its maximum gross weight, indicated a ground roll of 600 ft and a takeoff distance of 1,600 ft to clear a 50-ft obstacle. The chart was based on a dry runway and did not contain a correction for a takeoff from a turf runway, which would require a longer ground roll and takeoff distance. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that he should not have attempted to takeoff from a short, turf runway. ## Factual narrative The private pilot and three passengers were attempting to depart from a 2,200 ft long turf runway. After lifting off the ground, the pilot observed the airplane not accelerating and it settled back to the ground. Concerned with clearing a shed off the end of the runway, the pilot aborted the takeoff and the airplane departed the runway into a valley, damaging both wings. The takeoff performance chart for the airplane, which weighed close to its maximum gross weight, predicted a ground roll of 600 ft and a takeoff distance of 1,600 ft. The chart was based on a dry runway and did not contain a correction for turf conditions. Following the accident, the pilot stated there were no mechanical issues with the airplane and that he should not have attempted to takeoff on the short turf runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3849T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3849T-2021-01-21), registration cancelled 2021-01-21, S/N 28R-30171, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28R (180) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-30171 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 5397 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Express Flight - Registered owner: Hasler Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2018 - Departed: 52K, Onaga, KS - Destination: STJ, St Joseph, MO - Airport: 52K, Charles E Grutzmacher Muni, runway 36, 2,200 × 61 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 6, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 120 total, 14 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KMHK, 32 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 20191231020669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191231020669A), Dec 31, 2019: Piper PA-28R-180, Onaga, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot with 3 passengers initiated a takeoff from a sod field . After liftoff, he felt the aircraft was not climbing and he aborted the takeoff. The… ## Other investigations on N3849T (1) 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. - [NTSB OAK71FVW34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71FVW34), May 21, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N3849T), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 26, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100751. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Performance Manual (item 2, .PDF, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480795&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Performance%20Manual-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.