# NTSB CEN22LA307: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N25RC, Frankston, TX, July 4, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 4, 2022, 07:35 local (12:35 UTC) - Place: Frankston, TX - Coordinates: 32.08175, -95.452503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0817&lon=-95.4525&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, North Texas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105431 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105431/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105431 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA307 ## Probable cause The pilot’s delayed aborted takeoff that resulted in a runway overrun and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7103216), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32RT-300T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7103216), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during a takeoff from a wet grass airstrip, he glanced down at a point down the runway that had a reduction in elevation. When he looked back up, his perception of the tree height at the end of the runway increased. He stated that he aborted the takeoff even though the airplane attained rotation speed. The airplane slid about 1,200 ft down and off the runway end and impacted trees and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25RC-2023-04-21), registration cancelled 2023-04-21, S/N 32R-7887078, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7887078 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 3311.84 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 300 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 9, 2022 - Departed: T00, Annuac, TX - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: T25, Aero Estates Airport, runway 9, 3,100 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,201 total, 20 in this make and model, 1,054 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: TYR, 17 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 20220704011749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220704011749A), Jul 4, 2022: Piper PA-32RT-300T, Frankston, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot ran engine up to full power with brakes held then release for takeoff roll. 3100 ft grass strip with a treeline approx 50 ft off end of runway. At approx… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105431. 36.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 7.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15356265&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%206120_1web_Reader_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Video of N25RC accident takeoff (item 2, MOV, 27.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15356674&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=IMG_9451-Rel.MOV - Photo log (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15357125&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Log-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.