# NTSB CHI08LA137: Piper PA-28R-180, N4553J, Wrightsville, GA, May 18, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 18, 2008, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Wrightsville, GA - Coordinates: 32.719528, -82.720573 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7195&lon=-82.7206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 68233 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08LA137 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68233/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08LA137 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the gusty winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight was taking off on a personal cross country flight when a gust of wind caught the airplane, forcing the nose up. The pilot pushed the nose down and the airplane impacted the ground along side the runway, causing substantial damage. The pilot reported winds were 10 knots gusting to 30 knots. A weather reporting station 45 miles away reported that the winds were from 270 degrees magnetic at 10 knots gusting to 21 knots about the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 2008, at 1400 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180; N4553J, was substantially damaged, when it impacted the ground during takeoff from runway 28 (2,560 by 75 feet) at The Farm Airport (01GE) in Wrightsville, Georgia. The pilot and his one passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The flight was departing at the time of the accident. The pilot reported winds were variable at 10 knots gusting to 30 knots. The winds, 45 miles away in Macon, Georgia, were reported being from 270 degrees magnetic at 13 knots gusting to 21 knots. The pilot said that after takeoff he added a second notch of flaps and retracted the gear. He said that at an altitude of 20-30 feet above the ground, a gust of wind caught the aircraft, and forced the nose up. The pilot then pushed the nose down and the aircraft was forced into bushes along the left side of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4553J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4553J-2013-08-13), registration cancelled 2013-08-13, S/N 28R-30414, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30414 - Airframe hours: 6206 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Edward J. Kobs - Registered owner: Edward J. Kobs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2008, 5 hours before - Departed: 01GE, WRIGHTSVILLE, GA - Destination: VPC, Cartersville, GA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 01GE, The Farm Airport, runway 28, 2,560 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 23, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,550 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 1,440 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 13 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: KMCN, 50 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 20080518834029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080518834029A), May 18, 2008: Piper PA28R180, Wrightsville, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was taking off using a short field. At about 20-30' AGL a gust of wind caught the nose of the aircraft forcing the nose of the a/c into a… 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.