# NTSB CHI99LA179: Piper PA-28-140, N4525R, Traer, IA, June 8, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 1999, 19:45 local (Jun 8, 1999, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Traer, IA - Coordinates: 42.189315, -92.459007 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1893&lon=-92.4590&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46514 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46514/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA179 ## Probable cause The pilot's not maintaining proper runway alignment during the aborted takeoff, and the airport personnel not maintaining the runway. Factors were rough terrain and a dirt bank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) - runway maintenance - not maintained, airport personnel (cause) ## Analysis During an aborted takeoff, the airplane impacted a dirt pile and received substantial damage. The pilot said on the previous landing the runway was rough, so he elected to use a soft field takeoff technique. He said that the airplane did not seem to accelerate and he decided to abort the takeoff when the airplane reached 60 MPH. He said that the airplane drifted to the right side of the runway and during the rollout, he was unable to maneuver to avoid impacting a mound of dirt. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the runway found a dirt mound approximately 10 feet in diameter and 3 feet high which extended into the runway about 5 feet. After it was brought to the attention of airport management, the dirt mound was removed. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 1999, at 1945 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N4525R, registered to a corporation, sustained substantial damage, during an attempted aborted takeoff from runway 17 (2,555' X 100', dry/turf), near Traer, Iowa. The private pilot reported minor injuries, while his passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with a stated destination of Marshalltown, Iowa. In his written report the pilot said he had accumulated a total of 20 hours in this make and model of airplane. He said that time was accumulated in the preceding 90 days. The pilot said that he initiated a "short field" takeoff with 10 degrees of flap because the turf runway was "rough.". He said that he held the nosewheel off the ground, but the airplane only accelerated to 60 MPH bouncing on the rough runway. He said he then tried to abort the takeoff; however, the airplane drifted to the right of the runway and impacted a 3' X 10' pile of dirt which was partially on the runway. He said that if the pile of dirt had not been on the runway the airplane would have come to a stop on the remaining runway. Subsequent to the accident, an inspection of the airport and runway found a pile of dirt alongside the runway, which measured about 10 feet in diameter, and 3 feet high. The pile of dirt extended into the travel portion of the runway about 5'. A check of the FAA "Airport/Facility Directory revealed no warning for obstructions on the runway. The airport management was notified and removed and/or leveled the dirt pile. The pilot reported the local wind at the time of the accident to be 180 to 200 degrees at 4 knots. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the airplane failed to reveal any pre-existing mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4525R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4525R), registered now, S/N 28-21228, built 1965 (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: 28-21228 - Airframe hours: 2013 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Freiberg Insudtries, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1999, 18 hours before - Departed: 8C6 - Destination: MIW, MARSHALLTOWN, IA - Airport: 8C6, Traer Municipal, runway 17, 2,555 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 69 total, 20 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ALO, 22 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 19990607044979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990607044979A), Jun 7, 1999: Piper PA28140, Traer, IA, No damage. (Tty)aircraft did not gain enough speed on take-off and was attempting to abort the take-off when it slid off the rwy and struck a pile of dirt, other… 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.