# NTSB CHI93LA323: Piper PA-22-150, N9666D, Ellis, KS, August 15, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 1993, 19:20 local (Aug 15, 1993, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Ellis, KS - Location: 38.9347° N, 99.5568° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ellis, KS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9347&lon=-99.5568&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9281 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA323 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9281/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA323 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. Factors in the accident are the pilot's premature liftoff, his failure to keep the airplane properly aligned during the initial climb, and the high density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ditch - Nose over, other ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to takeoff from a county road. The airplane had full fuel, four persons aboard, and the road sloped upward in the direction of takeoff. The air temperature was approximately 93 degrees. The airplane started sinking and drifting to the left while the pilot was flying in ground effect. The airplane drifted off of the road and nosed-over in a ditch. The estimated density altitude at the time of the accident was 4,800' msl. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 1993, at 1920 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22- 150, N9666D, sustained substantial damage when it nosed-over in a ditch during takeoff from a county road near Ellis, Kansas. The private pilot received minor injuries. The three passengers aboard the airplane were not injured. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff to the west on the county road. He stated he was flying in ground effect with a nose high attitude, and the airplane began to sink and drift to the left. The airplane drifted off the road, hit a ditch, and nosed-over. The takeoff site elevation was approximately 2,000' msl; the outside air temperature was approximately 93 degrees fahrenheit. The estimated density altitude for these conditions is 4,800' msl (chart attached). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9666D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9666D-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 22-6582, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-6582 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William E. Armbrister - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 107 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RSL, 30 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 19930814029449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930814029449A), Aug 14, 1993: Piper PA22150, Ellis, KS, Substantial damage. Unable to leave ground effect on road takeoff. Drifted. Settled into ditch and nosed over. 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.