# NTSB ERA10CA090: Piper PA-38-112, N2539K, Patillas, PR, December 2, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 2, 2009, 09:05 local (13:05 UTC)
- Place: Patillas, PR
- Coordinates: 17.982221, -66.019165 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=17.9822&lon=-66.0192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 6, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75127
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75127/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75127
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA090

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from a tree.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he conducted a preflight inspection before taking off from the paved, 2,000-foot runway. The takeoff was "normal," but the airplane's climb rate was "not enough to clear trees" at the end of the runway. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane lifted off about 1,500 feet down the runway. The airplane's right wing subsequently hit a tree located to the right of the runway and sustained substantial damage. The inspector also reported no mechanical anomalies and confirmed compression on all engine cylinders. Photographs of the tree indicated that it was about 50 feet beyond and 50 feet to the right of the runway. Straight out and to the left of runway provided a relatively clear pathway. Using the ambient weather conditions, including a 6-knot headwind, the only takeoff performance data available in the pilot's operating handbook indicated that the airplane's takeoff distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle should have been approximately 1,450 feet.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he conducted a pre-flight inspection before taking off from the paved, 2,000-foot runway. The takeoff was "normal," but the airplane's climb rate was "not enough to clear trees" at the end of the runway. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane lifted off about 1,500 feet down the runway. The airplane's right wing subsequently hit a tree located to the right of the runway, and sustained substantial damage. The inspector also reported no mechanical anomalies, and confirmed compression on all engine cylinders. Photographs of the tree indicated it was about 50 beyond, and 50 feet to the right of the runway. Straight out, and to the left of runway provided a relatively clear pathway. Utilizing the ambient weather conditions, including a 6-knot headwind, the only takeoff performance data available in the pilot's operating handbook indicated that the airplane's takeoff distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle should have been approximately 1,450 feet.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2539K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2539K-2017-09-14), registration cancelled 2017-09-14, S/N 38-79A0677, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0677
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Velazquez Ramon L
- Registered owner: Velazquez Ramon L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: X64, Patillas, PR
- Destination: JRV, Ceiba, PR
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: X64, Patillas Airport, runway 10, 2,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; flight hours: 400 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JSJ, 27 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 20091202051939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091202051939A), Dec 2, 2009: Piper PA-38-112, Patillas, PR, Substantial damage. While departing runway 10, VFR conditions in a Piper PA-38-112, sn 38-79A0677, registration number N2539K on or about 0905 local, December 2, 2009 Mr. Carmelo…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 11, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75127. 1.4 MB in all.

- Memorandum for Record - Pilot/Operator Report (item 1, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Report-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Interview (item 2, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Interview-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323645&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Excerpt from FAA Form 8020-23 (item 4, .PDF, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20FAA%20Form%208020-23-Master.PDF
- PA-38-112 Pilot's Operating Handbook Excerpt - Takeoff Performance Chart (item 5, .PDF, 58 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=PA-38-112%20Pilot%27s%20Operating%20Handbook%20Excerpt%20-%20Takeoff%20Performance%20Chart-Master.PDF
- FAA Photo: Runway 10 (item 6, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Photo%3A%20%20Runway%2010-Master.PDF
- Photo: Google Earth, Patillas Airport (item 7, .PDF, 174 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40324305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Google%20Earth,%20Patillas%20Airport-Master.PDF

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.

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