# NTSB CEN22LA239: Piper PA-28-140, N3798K, New Braunfels, TX, June 9, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 9, 2022, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: New Braunfels, TX - Coordinates: 29.708904, -98.043434 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7089&lon=-98.0434&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 105235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105235/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105235 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA239 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [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-28-140, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102802), [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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane began “drifting to the left” of the runway centerline. The airplane briefly became airborne as the pilot attempted to apply opposite rudder. The airplane then landed hard and came to rest in a grassy area at the end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and nose wheel landing gear. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3798K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3798K), registered now, S/N 28-23733 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-23733 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3591.1 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-E2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Texas Aviation Acaemy - Registered owner: Baker Herman L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 23, 2022 - Departed: BAZ, New Braunfels, TX - Destination: BAZ, New Braunfels, TX - Airport: BAZ, New Braunfels Rgnl, runway 17, 5,364 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 20 total, 19 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KBAZ - METAR: KBAZ 090614Z AUTO 18009KT 10SM BKN017 27/23 A2994 RMK AO2 T02670233 ## 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 20220609010219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220609010219A), Jun 9, 2022: Piper PA-28-140, New Braunfels, TX, Substantial damage. Event: on June 9, 2022 at approximately 1806 UTC at New Braunfels National Airport (kbaz), a student pilot flying [privacy data omitted]Piper PA-28-140,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105235. 9.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 9.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14061924&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted%20N3798K-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14062688&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN22LA239%20Photos%20for%20docket-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.