# NTSB ERA09CA065: Piper PA46, N6913Z, Oak Island, NC, November 18, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 18, 2008, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Oak Island, NC - Coordinates: 33.924446, -78.071388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9244&lon=-78.0714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69482 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69482/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA065 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident were gusting crosswinds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-46-310P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7104605), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the takeoff roll on runway 5, the pilot began to drift left of the runway centerline. The pilot stated that he applied right rudder, then the airplane turned sharply right "as if I overcorrected to the right." The pilot responded by pulling the throttle to idle. The airplane continued to veer onto the grass on the right side of the runway edge and down an embankment. As the airplane passed through a small culvert, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in a drainage ditch. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the airplane and no evidence of any mechanical abnormalities. Winds about the time of the accident were 320 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative During the takeoff roll on runway 5, the pilot began to drift left of the runway centerline. The pilot stated that he applied right rudder, then the airplane turned sharply right "as if I overcorrected to the right." The pilot responded by pulling the throttle to idle. The airplane continued to veer onto the grass on the right side of the runway edge and down an embankment. As the airplane passed through a small culvert, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in a drainage ditch. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the airplane and no evidence of any mechanical abnormalities. Winds about the time of the accident were 320 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6913Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6913Z-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 46-8508073, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA46 (310P) - Registry model: [Piper PA-46-310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (registry code 7104605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46-8508073 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SUT, Oak Island, NC - Destination: SUT, Oak Island, NC - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: SUT, Brunswick County Airport, runway 05, 4,301 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: SUT ## 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 20081118852369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081118852369A), Nov 18, 2008: Piper PA46310P, Oak Island, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff roll on rwy 5 just prior to lifting off, the aircraft began to drift left of the center line. The pilot attempted to apply right rudder to… ## Other investigations on N6913Z (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA10FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA195), Mar 30, 2010: Piper PA46 (N6913Z), Roanoke, VA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A malfunction of the flight controls for undetermined reasons. 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.