# NTSB CHI99LA125: Piper PA-28-140, N5416S, Mora, MN, April 10, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 10, 1999, 07:55 local (12:55 UTC) - Place: Mora, MN - Coordinates: 45.870918, -93.289497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8709&lon=-93.2895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46303/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA125 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper soft field takeoff technique in that excessive back pressure was used which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. A factor associated with the accident was the student's lack of total experience. ## 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 - soft field takeoff/procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The student pilot was performing a soft field takeoff on runway 35 when the accident occurred. He stated he was 99% sure that he applied 20 degrees of flaps for the takeoff. He then held the yoke back and applied full power. He reported he felt the nose lifting and he '...failed to keep it from going too high and felt the back end raise.' He stated the airplane got out of ground effect without enough airspeed to remain airborne. The airplane stalled/mushed into a wooded area off the left side of the runway. The student reported the local winds were from 010 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 10, 1999, at 0755 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N5416S, operated by Horizon Aviation, Mora, Minnesota, collided with trees following a loss of control while taking off from the Mora Municipal Airport. The student pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated at the Mora Muncipal Airport shortly before the accident occurred. The student pilot reported that he had practiced four short field takeoffs on runway 35 (3,998' x 75', paved) just prior to the accident takeoff. He then decided to practice a soft field takeoff. He stated he is 99% sure that he applied 20 degrees of flaps for the takeoff. He then held the yoke back and applied full power. He reported he felt the nose lifting and he "...failed to keep it from going too high and felt the back end raise." He stated the airplane got out of ground effect without enough airspeed to remain airborne. He reported he held the airplane "...steady but I was losing altitude and heading towards a tree line to my left side." The airplane contacted trees in a wooded area off the left side of the runway. The student reported the local winds were from 010 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5416S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5416S), registered now, S/N 28-7125114, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - 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: 28-7125114 - Airframe hours: 6602 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Horizon Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1999, 66 hours before - Departed: JMR - Destination: JMR - Airport: JMR, Mora Municipal, runway 35, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 46 total, 46 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 19 °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 19990410003279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990410003279A), Apr 10, 1999: Piper PA28140, Mora, MN, Substantial damage. Pilot was practicing soft field take-offs when the left wing stalled and the acft carshed, other circumstances are unknown. (From .19) on April 10, 1999, at… 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.