# NTSB CHI05FA080: Piper PA-28-235, N8966W, West Union, IA, March 27, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 2005, 14:25 local (20:25 UTC) - Place: West Union, IA - Coordinates: 42.985279, -91.790557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9853&lon=-91.7906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Des Moines, IA FSDO, Lycoming, Piper - NTSB case key (mKey): 61204 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05FA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61204/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=61204 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05FA080 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff, and the pull-up to avoid obstacles which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, the fence, and the tree line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - runway light - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - pull-up - performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - Fire, other ## Analysis The airplane collided with the terrain following a loss of control during takeoff on a 4,248 foot long, concrete runway. A witness reported seeing the airplane travel down the centerline of the runway, lift off, and settle back onto the runway. He stated he then heard the tires squeal and the airplane lifted off again, veering to the left. He stated the airplane's attitude was fairly level at this time and he thought to himself, "Come on [pilot's name], get some airspeed." The witness stated the airplane then banked to the left. The left wing contacted the ground and the airplane caught fire and became engulfed in flames. Inspection of the airplane and engine failed to reveal any pre-impact failures/malfunctions which would have resulted in the loss of control. The flaps were found set to 25 degrees, which is the flap setting normally used for short and soft field takeoffs. The normal takeoff flap configuration is zero degrees. The pilot had received his private pilot certificate one and a half months prior to the accident. The pilot's logbook indicated he had a total flight time of 73.3 hours of which 49.5 hours in the accident airplane. Two 14-pound weights were located in the rear fuselage area of the wreckage. The airplane owner stated they usually kept the weights in the airplane to help balance the airplane's cener of gravity when there were just two adults in the front seat. The aircraft occupants during the accident flight consisted of two adults in the front seats and two children in the rear seats. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 27, 2005, at 1425 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-235, N8966W, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while taking off on runway 17 (4,248 feet by 50 feet, dry concrete) at the Scott Municipal Airport (3Y2), West Union, Iowa. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. One passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post impact fire. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. A witness, the pilot's father, stated he and his son flew to 3Y2 to have dinner with family. He stated they then decided to go to the airport to take family members on local sightseeing flights. He stated he flew the first flight with family members. His son was beginning the second flight of the day with family members when the accident occurred. The witness stated his son taxied the airplane toward the end of the runway where he heard his son perform an engine run-up. He stated he was not sure if the pilot began the takeoff roll at the end of the runway or from the run-up pad. The run-up pad is located approximately 900 feet from the approach end of runway 17. The witness stated he saw the airplane travel down the centerline, it lifted off, and settled back onto the runway. He stated he then heard the tires squeal and the airplane lifted off again, veering to the left. He stated the airplane's attitude was fairly level at this time and he thought to himself, "Come on [pilot's name], get some airspeed." The witness stated the airplane then banked to the left. The left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane was engulfed in flames. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a airplane single-engine land rating which was issued on February 10, 2005. He also held a third-class medical certificate which was issued on July 7, 2004. The medical certificate contained the limitation that the pilot must wear corrective lenses. According to the pilot's logbook, he had a total flight time of 73.3 hours of which 49.5 hours were logged in the accident airplane. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The accident airplane was a 1964 Piper PA-28-235, serial number 28-10543. It was certified as a four-place, normal category airplane. It was a low-wing, single-engine airplane, which incorporated fixed, tricycle landing gear. The airplane was power by a Lycoming O-540-B4B5 engine, serial number L-8073-40. The carbureted, normally aspirated engine was rated to 235 horsepower. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the pilot's father owned the airplane. The records show the airplane was registered to the current owner on August 27, 2004. All of the maintenance logbooks were inside the airplane at the time of the accident. The logbooks were burned; however, portions of the logbooks were legible. The aircraft logbook showed the last annual inspection was completed on August 25, 2004, at an aircraft total time of 2782.3 hours. The last entry in the aircraft logbook was dated January 10, 2005, and the aircraft total time was listed as 2906.44 hours. The engine logbook was also located in the wreckage. The last annual inspection was dated August 25, 2004, at a total time of 2782.3 hours, 870.3 hours since major overhaul. This entry noted that all of the cylinders were replaced. There were three additional oil change entries for which the dates were not legible. The last of these entries showed an aircraft time of 2898.3 hours. A maintenance invoice shows this last oil change was accomplished on January 6, 2005. The tachometer was not located in the wreckage. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The closest weather reporting station to the accident site was located at the Decorah Municipal Airport (DEH), Decorah, Iowa, approximately 18 statute miles north of the accident site. The DEH weather at 1455 was reported as wind from 230 degrees at 6 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 15 degrees Celsius, dew point 3 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of Mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION A single black tire mark, which started approximately 1,200 feet from the approach end of runway 17, was visible on the runway. The mark began on the right side of the runway centerline continuing for approximately 96 feet, gradually veering to the left of the centerline. Three tire tracks were visible in the grass beginning at the edge of the runway. These tracks continued for approximately 180 feet. The center track ended prior to the two on either side of it. A broken runway light was found just after the point where both side tracks ended. The airplane then cleared a fencerow, which contained a wire fence, small trees, and high brush, prior to impact in the open field. The airplane impacted the field approximately 200 feet from the east edge of the runway. The ground was scorched beginning at the initial impact and fanning out in a V-shape up to the location of the main wreckage that was located approximately 300 feet from the initial impact. The flight path from the runway was 120 degrees and the main wreckage came to rest inverted with the nose of the airplane facing a heading of 220 degrees. The initial terrain impact point contained pieces of red lens cap. This impact was followed by another impact mark, which was approximately 5-inches in depth. A strip of the door seal was found near the second impact mark. The third impact mark contained the green lens cap from the right wing tip. The entire instrument panel and cockpit area were consumed by fire. The attach fittings on the right seat and rear bench seat were detached from their floor rails which were consumed by the fire. The left seat bottom remained attached to its floor rail with the back of the seat detached. An approximate six-foot long section of the lower portion of the left side of the fuselage was burned, but remained intact. Two 14-pound lead weights were located in the rear fuselage area. The fuel selector was consumed by fire. A portion of the fuel selector valve was located, but fire and impact damage precluded determining which fuel tank was selected. The flap handle was found with the pin engaged in the second detent. This setting corresponds to 25 degrees of flaps. This setting was also confirmed on the flap chain sprocket and the flap rod lever which was measured to be at 5 ¾ inches. The right wing structure was melted away from the fuselage. The wing tip was crushed upward and the inboard section of the wing was consumed by fire. The aileron remained attached to the wing. The aileron control cables were intact and continuity was established from the wing to the cockpit flight controls. The outboard flap attach point was intact. The inboard section of the flap was crushed and its associated wing attachment was destroyed by fire. The inboard section of the left wing as well as the entire lower surface of the wing was consumed by fire. The remainng outboard section of the left wing was separated into two sections. The outboard aileron remained attached to the wing by its outboard attachment fitting. The inboard section of the aileron and its associated wing structure were consumed by fire. The left flap was destroyed by impact and fire damage. The aileron control cable continuity was established from the wing to the cockpit flight controls. One of the cables was intact. The other was separated and melted at the point of separation. The tail was separated from the fuselage just forward of the vertical stabilizer and stabilator. The right side of the vertical stabilizer was burned through the skin. The rudder remained attached to the stabilizer. The right stabilator was consumed by fire. The left stabilator sustained impact damage. Stabilator and rudder control cable continuity was established from th ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8966W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8966W-2017-06-20), registration cancelled 2017-06-20, S/N 28-10543, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10543 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Greg A. Bryan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2004 - Departed: 3Y2, West Union, IA - Destination: 3Y2 - Airport: 3Y2, Scott Municipal, runway 17, 4,248 × 50 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 73 total, 49 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: DEH, 18 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 20050327004539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050327004539A), Mar 27, 2005: Piper PA28235, West Union, IA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. (-23) Aircraft, upon takeoff, rolled southbound on runway 17, went approximately 1/4 mile, then veered right off the runway into the grass. The aircraft… ## Other investigations on N8966W (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC85LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA137), May 30, 1985: Piper PA-28-235 (N8966W), Batavia, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (31 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 13, 2005, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=61204. 6.0 MB in all. - Record of Interviews (item 1, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408347&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Interviews-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Invoices (item 2, .PDF, 194 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408349&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Invoices-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 3, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 312 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Tire Marks on Runway Looking Toward Approach End of Runway 17 (item 6, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Tire%20Marks%20on%20Runway%20Looking%20Toward%20Approach%20End%20of%20Runway%2017-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Tire Marks in Grass and Broken Runway Light (item 7, .PDF, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Tire%20Marks%20in%20Grass%20and%20Broken%20Runway%20Light-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Fencerow Off Left Side of Runway (item 8, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237545&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Fencerow%20Off%20Left%20Side%20of%20Runway-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Scorched Terrain and Main Wreckage (item 9, .PDF, 197 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20%20Scorched%20Terrain%20and%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Impact Marks (item 10, .PDF, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20%20Impact%20Marks-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Debris Field as Viewed From Main Wreckage (item 11, .PDF, 211 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20%20Debris%20Field%20as%20Viewed%20From%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Red Glass at First Impact Point (item 12, .PDF, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237549&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20%20Red%20Glass%20at%20First%20Impact%20Point-Master.PDF - Photo 8. Green Glass at Third Impact Point (item 13, .PDF, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237550&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208.%20%20Green%20Glass%20at%20Third%20Impact%20Point-Master.PDF - Photo 9. Front of Main Wreckage (item 14, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237551&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209.%20%20Front%20of%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 10. Side View of Main Wreckage (item 15, .PDF, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010.%20%20Side%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 11. Side View of Main Wreckage (item 16, .PDF, 212 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2011.%20%20Side%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 12. Tail of Main Wreckage (item 17, .PDF, 211 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2012.%20%20Tail%20of%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 13. Side View of Main Wreckage (item 18, .PDF, 194 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2013.%20%20Side%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 14. Fuselage (item 19, .PDF, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2014.%20%20Fuselage-Master.PDF - Photo 15. Cockpit Area (item 20, .PDF, 191 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2015.%20%20Cockpit%20Area-Master.PDF - Photo 16. Top of Right Wing (item 21, .PDF, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237558&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2016.%20%20Top%20of%20Right%20Wing-Master.PDF - Photo 17. Bottom of Right Wing (item 22, .PDF, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2017.%20%20Bottom%20of%20Right%20Wing-Master.PDF - Photo 18. Right Side of Empennage (item 23, .PDF, 211 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2018.%20%20Right%20Side%20of%20Empennage-Master.PDF - Photo 19. Flap Control (item 24, .PDF, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237561&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2019.%20%20Flap%20Control-Master.PDF - Photo 20. Aileron Control Chain and Sprocket (item 25, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2020.%20%20Aileron%20Control%20Chain%20and%20Sprocket-Master.PDF - Photo 21. Engine and Propeller (item 26, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2021.%20%20Engine%20and%20Propeller-Master.PDF - Photo 22. Left Side of Engine (item 27, .PDF, 205 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2022.%20%20Left%20Side%20of%20Engine-Master.PDF - Photo 23. Right Side of Engine (item 28, .PDF, 197 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2023.%20%20Right%20Side%20of%20Engine-Master.PDF - Photo 24. Accessory Section of Engine With Accessories Removed (item 29, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2024.%20%20Accessory%20Section%20of%20Engine%20With%20Accessories%20Removed-Master.PDF - Photo 25. Propeller (item 30, .PDF, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237567&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2025.%20%20Propeller-Master.PDF - Photo 26. Weights Found in Wreckage (item 31, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40237568&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2026.%20%20Weights%20Found%20in%20Wreckage-Master.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.