# NTSB DEN08CA099: Piper Seneca, N864CA, Plaquemine, LA, May 31, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2008, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Plaquemine, LA - Coordinates: 30.259721, -91.286109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2597&lon=-91.2861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: ASW - NTSB case key (mKey): 68162 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68162/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA099 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor's poor decision to simulate a loss of engine on takeoff with a wet runway and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was the dew covered runway surface and the ditch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was on an instructional flight with a certified flight instructor from a 2600 x 80 foot grass airstrip, which was wet with dew. At approximately 40 knots on initial takeoff roll the flight instructor pulled the left throttle to idle to simulate the loss of an engine on takeoff. The pilot aborted the takeoff, pulling the right throttle back and applying wheel brakes. The airplane slid off the side of the runway into a field and hit a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing had pulled forward, separating the trailing edge from the fuselage approximately 1 1/2 inch and buckling the fuselage at the leading edge. ## Factual narrative The private pilot told FAA personnel he was on an instructional flight with a certified flight instructor from a 2600 x 80 foot grass airstrip, which was wet with dew. At approximately 40 knots on initial takeoff roll the flight instructor pulled the left throttle to idle to simulate the loss of an engine on takeoff. The pilot aborted the takeoff, pulling the right throttle back and applying wheel brakes. The airplane slid off the side of the runway into a field and hit a ditch. Examination of the airplane revealed the left wing had pulled forward, separating the trailing edge from the fuselage approximately 1 1/2 inch and buckling the fuselage at the leading edge. ## Aircraft - Registration: N864CA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper Seneca - Category: Airplane - Serial number: pa-34-200T - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-EB reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William M. Nuttall, doing business as William M. Nuttall - Registered owner: William M. Nuttall - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2008 - Departed: LA15, plaquemine, LA - Destination: LA15, plaquemine, LA - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review February 1, 2007; flight hours: 6,497 total, 1,752 in this make and model, 6,345 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080531839099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080531839099A), May 31, 2008: Piper PA34200T, Plaquemine, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 31, 2008, at approximatelyl 0915 hours, the PIC of N864CA, a Piper seneca was receiving flight instruction from the flight instructor aboard the… 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.