# NTSB CEN21LA269: Piper PA-28R-180, N7476J, Corpus Christi, TX, June 14, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 14, 2021, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Corpus Christi, TX · 78406 - Coordinates: 27.774741, -97.510801 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7747&lon=-97.5108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 103269 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103269/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103269 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA269 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## 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-180, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102809), [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; cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane’s cockpit temperature was extremely hot during the taxi to the runway. During the takeoff roll, the pilot applied full engine power and the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct with a right rudder input, but the airplane continued to go to the left. The airplane struck a runway sign and lights on the left side of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7476J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7476J), registered now, S/N 28R-30831, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-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-30831 - Year built: 1968 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Miguel Hernandez - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CRP, Corpus Christi, TX - Destination: BRO, Brownsville, TX - Airport: CRP, Corpus Christi Intl, runway 13/31, 7,510 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 134 total, 26 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KCRP - METAR: KCRP 141951Z 04006KT 10SM FEW035 FEW050 SCT220 36/21 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP134 TCU DSNT N NE S T03560211 ## 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 20210614007679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210614007679A), Jun 14, 2021: Piper PA-28R-180, Corpus Christi, TX, Substantial damage. On 06-14-2021, during departure from Corpus Christi, TX to brownsville, TX. Pilot clear to take off on runway 13. At center line started applying power,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 27, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103269. 14.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 13.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12474542&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20clean_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo of right wing (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 447 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12474187&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-Rel.pdf - Correspondence with FAA (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12541974&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Correspondence%20with%20FAA-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.