# NTSB CEN22LA303: Piper PA-28-140, N270SA, Oklahoma City, OK, July 2, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 2, 2022, 08:29 local (13:29 UTC) - Place: Oklahoma City, OK - Coordinates: 35.593286, -97.705942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5933&lon=-97.7059&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: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA, Piper Aircraft, Lycoming Engines - NTSB case key (mKey): 105417 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105417/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105417 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA303 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed for unknown reasons during the initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## 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-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: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102802), [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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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-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 pilot reported that after takeoff, as the airplane climbed above the height of the nearby houses, the airspeed and altitude began to decrease. Unable to climb, he allowed the airplane to drift to the right to avoid “putting anything in danger.” As he began a right turn, he lowered the nose to remain under transmission lines, but the airplane seemed to immediately “fall out of the sky.” The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and slid to a stop, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A calculation of the weight and balance revealed that the airplane was within both weight and center of gravity limitations. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2022, about 0829 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N270SA, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, after takeoff from runway 18 at the Sundance Airport (HSD), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the airplane did not perform as it normally would. He stated that, as the airplane climbed above the height of the nearby houses, the airspeed and altitude began to decrease. Unable to climb, he allowed the airplane to drift west to avoid “putting anything in danger.” As he began a right turn, he lowered the nose to remain under transmission lines, but the airplane seemed to immediately “fall out of the sky.” The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and slid to a stop, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. Several witnesses described seeing the airplane low to the ground, not climbing, and in a right turn before it impacted the ground. A review of weight and balance documentation revealed that the airplane had a basic empty weight of 1,263.04 lbs. The pilot stated that he weighed 180 lbs and the passenger weighed about 300 lbs. He stated that the airplane was filled to the tabs with fuel, which equated to about 36 gallons. With no reported cargo, the airplane’s weight totaled 1,959.04 and the center of gravity (CG) was 86.24 inches aft of datum. The maximum gross weight of the airplane was 2,150 lbs and the forward CG limit was 84 inches and the aft CG limit was 95.9 inches. When the weight and balance envelope is viewed in a graphical format in the Type Certificate Data Sheet, it becomes evident that the forward CG limit changes with weight. When the airplane was 1,650 lbs or less, the CG forward limit was 84 inches and the aft limit was 95.9 inches. At 1,975 lbs, the forward limit was 85.9 inches and the aft limit was 95.9 inches. (See Figure). Weight and Balance Envelope from the Type Certificate Data Sheet for Serial Number 28-21576 A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The computed density altitude based upon the field elevation of 1,192 ft, an altimeter setting of 29.97 and a temperature of 26° C was 2,729 ft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N270SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N270SA), registered now, S/N 28-21576, built 1966 (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: 28-21576 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 8307 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-E2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sundance Airport Fbo LLC - Registered owner: Sundance Airport Fbo LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2022 - Airport: HSD, Sundance, runway 18, 5,001 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 391 total, 40 in this make and model, 292 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KPWA, 4 nm away - METAR: KPWA 021253Z 18006KT 10SM BKN110 26/20 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP130 T02560200 ## 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 20220702012759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220702012759A), Jul 2, 2022: Piper PA-28-140, Yukon, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Part 91, day, VFR flight departing khsd runway 18 for a local flight. Preflight and engine run up where normal as stated by the pilot. Density altitude was… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105417. 25.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15321608&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14151187&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Examination summary (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15362523&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Memo-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 4, PDF, 14 pages, 15.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14151127&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weight and balance information (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15360381&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weight%20and%20Balance%20Information_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Fuel quantity memo for record (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15359637&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Piper%20Fuel%20Quantity%20MFR-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 7, PDF, 3 pages, 597 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14150194&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Rel.pdf - Type certificate data sheet (item 8, PDF, 47 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15322570&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=TCDS-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 743 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15359868&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 10, PDF, 2 pages, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14150694&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20Forms_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 11, PDF, 1 page, 556 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15322231&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Sundance_Wreckage_Release_Redacted-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.