# NTSB CHI07CA278: Piper PA-28-180, N15425, Hagerstown, IN, August 26, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 26, 2007, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Hagerstown, IN - Coordinates: 40.247222, -85.172225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2472&lon=-85.1722&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Indianapolis, IN, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66592 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66592/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA278 ## Probable cause The pilot's use of an unsuitable runway for takeoff and delayed aborted takeoff. Factors were the wet grass and the fence the airplane impacted and subsequently nosed over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - used, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - crop - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane impacted a fence and nosed over during an aborted takeoff from runway 20 (4,000 feet by 200 feet, wet grass). The pilot stated, "It was 8:00 AM the grass was a little tall and covered with heavy dew. I did not feel that the plane was accelerating like I thought that it should." The pilot reported that about halfway down the runway the airplane lifted "slightly off the turf, then settled back down" and headed left of the centerline. The pilot said that the airplane "slid on the wet grass, struck a steel farm fence, and nosed over ... in a soybean field." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the flight. ## Factual narrative The airplane impacted a fence and nosed over during an aborted takeoff from runway 20 (4,000 feet by 200 feet, wet grass). The pilot stated, "It was 8:00 AM the grass was a little tall and covered with heavy dew. I did not feel that the plane was accelerating like I thought that it should." The pilot reported that about halfway down the runway the airplane lifted "slightly off the turf, then settled back down" and headed left of the centerline. The pilot said that the airplane "slid on the wet grass, struck a steel farm fence, and nosed over ... in a soybean field." The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane in reference to the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15425](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15425-2008-04-11), registration cancelled 2008-04-11, S/N 28-7305074, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7305074 - Airframe hours: 6278 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hagerstown Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: Hagerstown, IN - Destination: MQJ, INDIANAPOLIS, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review May 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 123 total, 12 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: MIE ## 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 20070826019889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070826019889A), Aug 26, 2007: Piper PA28180, Hagerstown, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) August 26, 2007 a Piper cherokee, PA-28-180, N15425 attempted a maximum gross weight take-off from runway 20, a wet 4000 foot grass runway, located in… ## Other investigations on N15425 (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 CHI79DEX29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEX29), May 5, 1979: Piper PA-28 (N15425), Hagertown, IN, substantial damage 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.