# NTSB CEN22LA394: Piper PA28, N1815J, Liberty, MO, August 24, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 24, 2022, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Liberty, MO - Coordinates: 39.289833, -94.448528 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2898&lon=-94.4485&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - 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): 105798 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA394 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105798/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105798 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA394 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s improper decision to take off without adequate airspeed which resulted in degraded performance and a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While on the takeoff roll from a stop-and-go landing, the flight instructor scanned the instruments and noticed that the airspeed indicator was at zero. He perceived that the engine was producing full power and that the airplane had “enough lift” but the airspeed needle was not moving. He considered aborting the takeoff but determined there was insufficient runway to stop. The airspeed needle began to move, and the flight instructor rotated the airplane for takeoff. The airplane would not climb, so he banked the airplane to maneuver around trees at the end of the runway. The airplane collided with the trees which resulted in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. The flight instructor indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions that contributed to the accident. The flight instructor indicated that they started the takeoff roll with about 1,300 ft of runway. Airfield information put 63 ft trees 500 ft from the end of the runway. Performance calculations revealed that to clear a 50 ft obstacle, a 2,000 ft takeoff distance was required. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1815J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1815J), registered now, S/N 28-24244, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (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: 28-24244 - Year built: 1968 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: DR-SE Flight Services - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MKC, Kansas City, MO - Destination: 0N0, Liberty, MO - Airport: 0N0, Roosterville, runway 18, 2,780 × 20 ft, concrete - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: minor; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 3, 2022; seat: right; restraint: none; flight hours: 772 total, 70 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 50.2 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5.2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 21; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 66.9 total, 3.3 in this make and model, 6.7 as pilot in command, 14.1 in the last 90 days, 2.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KGPH, 7 nm away - METAR: METAR KGPH 241555Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 26/18 A3007 RMK AO2= ## 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 20220824015039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220824015039A), Aug 24, 2022: Piper PA-28-140, Kansas City, MO, Destroyed. The pilot stated that the aircraft failed to reach sufficient airspeed for takeoff by the end of the runway, resulting in an uncontrolled departure. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105798. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 643 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14608029&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CFI%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14607799&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201%20cen22la394-Rel.pdf - Takeoff calculation (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 468 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14611007&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Takeoff%20Calculation%20Obstacle-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.