# NTSB CHI02LA123: Piper PA-32RT-300, N36555, Viburnum, MO, April 25, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 2002, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Viburnum, MO - Coordinates: 37.710304, -91.120498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7103&lon=-91.1205&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54663 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54663/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54663 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA123 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper short field takeoff planning and procedure. The takeoff weight above the maximum gross weight and the hill were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - short field takeoff/procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted a hill during an aborted takeoff from runway 27. The pilot stated that he used an informal short field takeoff procedure using 10 degrees of trailing edge flaps. He also stated that the airplane was 80 lbs over its gross weight limit. After realizing the airplane had a less than expected climb rate, the pilot performed an aborted takeoff on the remainder of runway 27 in an attempt to avoid hitting a church along the climb path. The landing gear was sheared from the airplane, and the right main landing gear impacted the horizontal stabilizer. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook, 25 degrees of flaps is the flap setting for short field takeoff. There is no published takeoff performance data for 10 degrees of flaps. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 2002, at 1545 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N36555, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a hill during an aborted takeoff on runway 27 (3,195 feet by 47 feet, asphalt) at the Viburnum Airport, Viburnum, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and three passengers were uninjured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he used an informal short field takeoff procedure using 10 degrees of trailing edge flaps. He also stated that the airplane was 80 lbs over its maximum gross weight. After realizing the airplane had a less than expected climb rate, the pilot performed an aborted takeoff on the remainder of runway 27 in an attempt to avoid hitting a church along the climb path. The airplane's landing gear was sheared off by contact with a hill. The right main landing gear impacted the horizontal stabilizer. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the airplane, 25 degrees of flaps is the proper flap setting for a short field takeoff. The POH does not contain takeoff performance data for a takeoff with 10 degrees of flaps. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36555](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36555), registered now, S/N 32R-7885194, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32RT-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7885194 - Airframe hours: 3250 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wom Aviation Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MO84, Viburnum, MO - Airport: MO84, Viburnum Aiport, runway 27, 3,195 × 47 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review November 9, 2001; flight hours: 165 total, 55 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 3 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: FAM, 30 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 20020425009239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020425009239A), Apr 25, 2002: Piper PA32RT300, Viburnum, MO, No damage. (-23) Pilot and three passengers weighed a total of 1,005 pounds. Airplane had 432 pounds of fuel. By the pilot's calculations after the accident, the airplane… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54663. 338 KB in all. - Record of Interview (item 1, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432533&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Redacted.PDF - Airplane Pilot Operating Handbook Excerpt (item 2, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40167495&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Pilot%20Operating%20Handbook%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - Letter to Pilot and Certified Mail Receipt Regarding Pilot/Operator Form (item 3, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432534&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Letter%20to%20Pilot%20and%20Certified%20Mail%20Receipt%20Regarding%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Form-Redacted.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.