# NTSB CHI98LA203: Piper PA28-151, N6771F, Jefferson, IA, June 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 1998, 19:50 local (Jun 17, 1998, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Jefferson, IA - Coordinates: 42.009109, -94.370155 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0091&lon=-94.3702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10917 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA203 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10917/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA203 ## Probable cause the pilot's lack of total experience in this type of aircraft and his failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff. A factor was the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting a touch and go with three passengers in the airplane. When he rotated for liftoff, he felt the airplane did not feel right and initiated an aborted takeoff. He did not maintain directional control. The airplane exited the runway, traversed a grassy area, a roadway and impacted a ditch. The pilot said that this was the first time he had flown the airplane with three passengers. He also indicated that he had a total time in this make and model of airplane of 2.2 hours. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 1998, at 1950 central daylight time, a Piper PA28-151, N6771F, impacted the terrain during an aborted takeoff from Jefferson Airport, Jefferson, Iowa. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was practicing touch and go landings at the airport when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was on file. The flight had originated at Carroll, Iowa at 1930. In a written statement, the pilot said he intended to conduct a touch and go landing. He indicated that during the landing roll he applied full throttle, and when he rotated for takeoff, "I felt the plane wasn't lifting compared to normal." He said that he then elected to abort the takeoff; however, was unable to stop the airplane on the paved portion of the runway. He said the airplane exited the runway, crossed a grassy area, a roadway, and came to rest in a ditch. The pilot told authorities that this was the first time he had flown this airplane with three passengers and he wrote in his written statement that at the time of the accident he had accumulated a total time in this make and model airplane of 2.2 hours. An examination of the airplane after the accident failed to reveal any pre-impact mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6771F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6771F), registered now, S/N 28-7715178, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7715178 - Airframe hours: 4300 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Carroll Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 1998, 40 hours before - Departed: CIN, CARROLL, IA - Destination: EFW - Airport: EFW, Jefferson Municipal, runway 32, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 62 total, 2 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19980616013689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980616013689A), Jun 16, 1998: Piper PA28151, Jefferson, IA, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was attempting a touch and go with three passengers in the airplane. When he rotated for liftoff, he felt the airplane did not feel right and… 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.