# NTSB CHI05LA160: Piper PA-32RT-300, N21835, Kansas City, MO, June 30, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 2005, 05:30 local (10:30 UTC) - Place: Kansas City, MO - Coordinates: 39.123332, -94.592781 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1233&lon=-94.5928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61843 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61843/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA160 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining climb airspeed leading to the airplane's impact with the fence and terrain during takeoff. Factors in the accident were the pilot's inaccurate preflight planning calculations, the fence, and the levee. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - object - fence (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command - all available runway - not used, pilot in command - preflight planning/preparation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane, on a non-scheduled domestic cargo flight, was destroyed on impact with a fence and levee on takeoff from runway 21. The pilot stated, "About 10 seconds after liftoff, aircraft started to descend. Impacted levee at end of runway, skidded over and came to rest on other side." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The air traffic controller on duty said that the winds were 310 degrees at 06 knots and further stated, "I observed [aircraft] backtaxi to [taxiway] Golf intersection of runway 21, turn around, and start departure roll. [Aircraft] was observed rotating abeam the highspeed taxiway." The pilot had private pilot privileges for single-engine land airplanes. The pilot took and passed an FAA Airman Competency/Proficiency Check in the same make and model single-engine airplane about two months prior to the accident. The pilot was found satisfactory in the examined flight maneuvers during that check ride. The airplane accumulated 0.1 hour since the 100-hour inspection. The pilot reported the weight of the cargo to be about 350 pounds and his calculated takeoff weight to be about 2,974 pounds. The cargo was removed from the wreckage and the cargo weighed 608 pounds. The post-accident calculated weight for the flight was 3,575 pounds. The airplane had a maximum gross weight of 3,600 pounds. The calculated takeoff ground roll distance for the flight was 2,200 feet and the calculated takeoff distance over a 50 foot obstacle was 4,000 feet. The runway distance available at intersection Golf on runway 21 was about 4,350 feet. Railroad, levee, and displaced thresholds are listed in the remarks for runway 3/21. Using the air traffic controller's reported winds, the calculated tailwind on runway 21 was one knot. The calculated headwind for runway 3 was one knot. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 30, 2005, about 0530 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N21835, operated by Safewing Aviation Company Inc., was destroyed on impact with a fence and levee on takeoff from runway 21 at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC), near Kansas City, Missouri. The non-scheduled domestic cargo flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized. An instrument flight rules flight plan was on file and was activated. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (ICT), near Wichita, Kansas. The pilot's accident report stated: MKC to ICT call sign SFF [Safewing] 725. [Weather] brief by Columbia [Flight Service Station] at about 04:30. Departed MKC, [runway] 21 [at] 05:30. About 10 seconds after liftoff, aircraft started to descend. Impacted levee at end of runway, skidded over and came to rest on other side. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the accident flight. The air traffic controller on duty stated: Backtaxi [runway] 21, when you are ready, proceed on course, cleared for takeoff, wind 310 [degrees at] 06 [knots]. I observed [aircraft] backtaxi to [taxiway] Golf intersection of runway 21, turn around, and start departure roll. [Aircraft] was observed rotating abeam the highspeed taxiway. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane multiengine land rating with private pilot privileges for airplane single-engine land. The pilot's last medical examination was completed on April 15, 2005, when he was issued a second-class medical certificate with limitations for glasses. The pilot took a FAA Airman Competency/Proficiency Check in the PA-32 type airplane on April 23, 2005. The pilot was found satisfactory in the examined flight maneuvers during that check ride. The pilot reported that he had accumulated 12,420.5 hours of total time and that he had accumulated 243.9 hours of flight time in the same make and model as the accident airplane. He reported that he had a total time of 1,051.6 hours of total time in single engine airplanes. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION N21835, was a Piper PA-32RT-300, Lance II, serial number 32-7885262, single-engine, low-wing airplane. Its engine was a 300-horsepower Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D, serial number L-16964-48A. It could accommodate up to six occupants and was reported to be configured for two occupants at the time of the accident. The airplane had a maximum gross weight of 3,600 pounds. The pilot reported that a 100-hour inspection was completed on June 29, 2005 and that the airplane had accumulated 9,715 hours total time. He reported that the airplane accumulated 0.1 hour since the 100-hour inspection. The pilot reported that the airplane was fueled with 94 gallons of 100 low lead aviation fuel prior to the accident flight. The operator reported a calculated weight for the flight of 3,575 pounds. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 0454, the recorded MKC weather was: Wind 350 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 7 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 27 degrees C; dew point 19 degrees C; altimeter 29.91 inches of mercury. At 0554, the recorded KMKC weather was: Wind 040 degrees at 9 knots; visibility 8 statute miles; sky condition few 10,000 feet; temperature 25 degrees C; dew point 19 degrees C; altimeter 29.95 inches of mercury. The air traffic controller reported the winds as 310 degrees at 6 knots at the time he issued the flight's takeoff clearance. AIRPORT INFORMATION The North Central US Region Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) indicated the field elevation at MKC was 801 feet. MKC is a towered airport with two runways, 1/19 and 3/21. The A/FD stated that runway 1/19 was 7,002 feet long and 150 feet wide. The A/FD stated that runway 3/21 was 5,050 feet long and 150 feet wide. Both runways' surface were composed of grooved asphalt. Runway 1/19 was closed for construction at the time of the accident. Railroad, levee, and displaced thresholds are listed in the remarks for runway 3/21. The runway distance available at intersection Golf on runway 21 is about 4,350 feet. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION An airport fence, about 405 feet from the departure end of runway 21, exhibited impact marks. The levee, about 130 feet from the impacted fence, exhibited a ground scar. The top of the levee was about 155 feet from the impacted fence. The cargo was removed from the wreckage and weighed. The cargo weighed 608 pounds. FAA inspectors examined the wreckage. Their examination did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The FAA was a party to the investigation. The pilot reported that the weight of the cargo to be about 350 pounds and the calculated takeoff weight to be about 2,974 pounds. According to FAA inspector's calculations, the takeoff ground roll distance for the flight was 2,200 feet and the calculated takeoff distance over a 50 foot obstacle was 4,000 feet. Using the air traffic controller's reported winds, the calculated tailwind on runway 21 was one knot. The calculated headwind for runway 3 was one knot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21835](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21835-2007-12-01), registration cancelled 2007-12-01, S/N 32R-7885262 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7885262 - Airframe hours: 9715 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Safewing Aviation Company Inc - Registered owner: Safewing Aviation Company Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2005, 0.1 hours before - Departed: MKC, Kansas City, MO - Destination: ICT, WICHITA, KS - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MKC, Kansas City Downtown, runway 21, 5,050 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 12,421 total, 244 in this make and model, 10,109 as pilot in command, 244 in the last 90 days, 102 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 40° at 9 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: MKC, 1 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 20050630014559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050630014559A), Jun 30, 2005: Piper PA32RT300, Kansas City, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed IFR on runway 21 at charles b. wheeler Downtown airport, Kansas City, Missouri, at 0530 CDT on 06/30/2005. The purpose of the flight was… 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.