# NTSB CEN20LA381: Piper PA36, N57607, Ord, NE, August 18, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 18, 2020, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Ord, NE - Coordinates: 41.623611, -98.951942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6236&lon=-98.9519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Lincoln FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101921 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA381 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101921/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101921 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA381 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while in a turn during initial climb and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. ## 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-36-285, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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-36-285, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-36-285, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103610), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing on an agricultural flight when the airplane’s airspeed began to decrease while in a turn shortly after takeoff. The pilot confirmed that the engine and propeller were operating normally at takeoff power, but the airspeed continued to decrease closer to an aerodynamic stall speed while in the turn. The pilot chose not to dump the load of liquid herbicide because he thought it might have had a negative effect on controlling the airplane and cause it to enter an aerodynamic stall. The airplane’s right wing dropped shortly before it impacted with the ground, which the pilot attributed to the airplane flying at or near aerodynamic stall. The airplane collided with terrain in a right wing down attitude. The airplane’s fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot stated that he previously flew the airplane with similar or heavier loads without any adverse effects to airplane performance. He reported that the weather conditions earlier in the morning included rain showers associated with the passage of a weather front; however, at the time of the accident, the wind was calm and there was no precipitation. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane or its engine during the flight. Postaccident examination of the airplane and its engine did not reveal any evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have prevented normal flight. Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed while in the turn during initial climb, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude from which a recovery was not possible. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 2020, about 1100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-285 airplane, N57607, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ord, Nebraska. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight. The pilot stated that the engine startup was normal and that he observed a calm surface wind while taxiing to runway 31. The pilot initially observed dark/black engine exhaust while he cycled the propeller during an engine runup before takeoff, but he did not observe any anomalies with the engine or the engine exhaust during a second engine runup and propeller cycle that he completed before takeoff. The pilot stated that the takeoff on runway 31 was uneventful and that after liftoff he kept the airplane in ground effect until it accelerated to a normal climb airspeed. The pilot stated the initial climb was uneventful until the first turn when he observed the airspeed decreasing despite the engine and propeller operating normally at takeoff power. Although he was able to maintain altitude in the turn, the airplane’s airspeed continued to decrease closer to an aerodynamic stall speed. The pilot chose not to dump the load of liquid herbicide because he thought it could have a negative effect on being able to control the airplane and cause it to enter an aerodynamic stall. The airplane's right wing dropped shortly before impact with the ground, which the pilot attributed to the airplane flying at or near aerodynamic stall. The airplane collided with terrain in a right wing down attitude. The pilot stated that before the flight the airplane was loaded with 40 gallons of fuel and 155 gallons of liquid herbicide. He stated he previously flew the airplane with similar or heavier loads without any adverse effects to airplane performance. He reported that the weather conditions earlier in the morning included some rain showers associated with the passage of a weather front; however, at the time of the accident, the wind was calm and there was no precipitation. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane or its engine during the flight. The airplane’s fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident. The airplane was partially disassembled and recovered from the accident site before the National Transportation Safety Board or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were notified of the accident. A FAA examination of the airplane and its engine did not reveal any evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure that would have prevented normal flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57607](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57607-2022-01-22), registration cancelled 2022-01-22, S/N 36-7660006, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA36 (285) - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 6-285-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-6-285-a) (registry code 17038, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-7660006 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 6838.42 - Engines: Lycoming IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Green Medows Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2020, 95.13 hours before - Departed: ODX, Ord, NE - Destination: ODX, Ord, NE - Airport: ODX, Evelyn Sharp Field Airport, runway 31, 4,721 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 3, 2020; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,643 total, 328 in this make and model, 641 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: ODX, 1 nm away - METAR: SPECI KODX 181605Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM -RA SCT090 OVC110 20/18 A3018 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW PRESFR P0000 T02000183= ## 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 20200818016359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200818016359A), Aug 18, 2020: Piper PA-36-285, Ord, NE, Substantial damage. Pilot delayed 2 hours following a frontal system passing through the area. Load out of the aircraft was approx. 3/4 fuel and 155 gal of applicant. The pilot… ## Docket (13 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 5, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101921. 16.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (pilot) (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15202891&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01%20-%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20(Pilot)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA record of conversations with pilot (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 580 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15202545&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=02%20-%20FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversations%20with%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Email correspondence between FAA FSDO and pilot (item 3, PDF, 10 pages, 626 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15202706&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=03%20-%20Email%20Correspondence%20between%20FAA%20FSDO%20and%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (owner) (item 4, PDF, 9 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15202432&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=04%20-%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20(Airplane%20Owner)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA record of conversations with airplane owner (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 369 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15202555&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=05%20-%20FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversations%20with%20Airplane%20Owner_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector summary of flight control inspection (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15202442&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Summary%20of%20Flight%20Control%20Inspection_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector summary of engine inspection (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15202452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=07%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Summary%20of%20Engine%20Inspection_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe logbook (excerpts) (item 8, PDF, 4 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15203018&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=08%20-%20Airframe%20Logbook%20(Excerpts)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine logbook (excerpts) (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15203104&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=09%20-%20Engine%20Logbook%20(Excerpts)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Propeller logbook (excerpts) (item 10, PDF, 2 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15202805&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=10%20-%20Propeller%20Logbook%20(Excerpts)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airplane flight manual (excerpts) (item 11, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15201842&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=11%20-%20Airplane%20Flight%20Manual%20(Excerpts)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weather data (item 12, PDF, 1 page, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15203303&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=12%20-%20Weather%20Data-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 13, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15203293&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=13%20-%20Photos-Rel.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.