# NTSB CHI08CA296: Piper PA28, N6266J, Gann Valley, SD, September 27, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 27, 2008, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Gann Valley, SD - Coordinates: 44.033611, -98.986389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0336&lon=-98.9864&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 69237 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA296 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69237/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA296 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to gain sufficient altitude during takeoff as a result of inadequate preflight planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot agreed to take the non-pilot rated aircraft owner and a passenger on a local flight. The pilot reported that during takeoff, he was not able to gain sufficient altitude to clear a fence off the departure end of the runway. The landing gear contacted the fence and the airplane continued forward until it contacted an embankment. The pilot stated he was not familiar with this particular airplane and airport, and that he should have had a greater safety margin on which to base his midfield go/no-go decision. ## Factual narrative The pilot agreed to take the non-pilot rated aircraft owner and a passenger on a local flight. The pilot reported that during takeoff, he was not able to gain sufficient altitude to clear a fence off the departure end of the runway. The landing gear contacted the fence and the airplane continued forward until it contacted an embankment. The pilot stated he was not familiar with this particular airplane and airport, and that he should have had a greater safety margin on which to base his midfield go/no-go decision. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6266J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6266J-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 28-7625237, built 1976 (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: 28-7625237 - Airframe hours: 5394 - Engines: LYCOMING O320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Dihl J. Grohs - Registered owner: Dihl J. Grohs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008 - Departed: PVT, Gann Valley, SD - Destination: PVT, Gann Valley, SD - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip, runway 27, 2,000 × 16 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 23, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,326 total, 79 in this make and model, 1,285 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F 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.