# NTSB ERA11LA289: Piper PA-28-180, N7317W, Ocilla, GA, May 7, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 2011, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Ocilla, GA
- Coordinates: 31.590888, -83.239448 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5909&lon=-83.2394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79051
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79051/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79051
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA289

## Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [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.

- [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot turned the airplane to the right immediately after liftoff from the dirt strip to avoid a tree in its flight path. According to the pilot, the engine stopped producing power, the stall warning activated, and the airplane remained in a right bank until ground contact. The airplane came to rest upright in a cultivated field less than 1/2 mile from the departure strip. Photographs taken by first responders revealed significant tip-curling, leading edge gouging, and chord-wise scratching of both propeller blades, which was consistent with engine power at the time of impact. There was no visible evidence of an in-flight or post-crash fire. The airplane was recovered from the field, and a detailed examination of the airframe and powerplant revealed no evidence of pre-impact anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On May 7, 2011, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7317W, was substantially damaged during collision with terrain after takeoff from a 1,200-foot private grass strip in Ocilla, Georgia. The certificated private pilot/owner and three passengers sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airplane was destined for Fitzgerald Municipal Airport (FZG), Fitzgerald, Georgia, approximately four miles north, for a fuel purchase. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the site that he turned the airplane to the right immediately after liftoff, to avoid a tree in its flight path. According to the pilot, the engine stopped producing power, the stall warning activated, and the airplane remained in a right bank until ground contact. The Chief of Police, a certificated pilot, reported that he turned off the fuel boost pump, the magnetos, and moved the fuel selector from the right tank position to the off position upon his arrival at the scene. He stated that he later disconnected the battery. When he was asked what the fuel state of the airplane was, the Chief said the left tank was "dry" and the right tank contained "not very much" fuel. The airplane came to rest upright in a cultivated field less than one-half mile from the departure strip. Photographs taken by first responders revealed significant tip-curling, leading edge gouging, and chord-wise scratching of both propeller blades. There was impact damage to the lower engine cowling, right-wing leading edge, and a broken windscreen on the left side of the cockpit. There was no visible evidence of an in-flight or post-crash fire. After first responders cleared the scene, local police periodically checked on the wreckage in to the late evening hours. The FAA inspector responded to the scene the following day and found the airframe destroyed by fire. The fire damage was limited to the cockpit and cabin areas, which were completely consumed. The engine compartment forward of the firewall displayed only minor fire damage and neither wing was burned. The pilot held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single engine land. He reported 450 hours of flight experience, of which 100 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot’s most recent third class medical certificate was issued December 18, 2008. The airplane was manufactured in 1963, and the pilot/owner reported that there were approximately 3,200 total hours on the airframe. The pilot stated that the logbooks were destroyed in the fire that occurred in the cabin in the overnight hours following the accident. The airplane was recovered from the field, and a detailed examination of the airframe and powerplant conducted by both the FAA inspector and an NTSB investigator revealed no evidence ofpre-impact anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7317W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7317W-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 28-1181, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1181
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John W. Hudson
- Registered owner: Coghill Kettig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Ocilla, GA
- Destination: FZG, Fitzgerald, GA
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 27, 1,214 × 105 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 100 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KTMA, 20 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 20110507008559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110507008559A), May 7, 2011: Piper PA-28-180, Ocilla, GA, Substantial damage. Immediately after take off pilot banked aircraft to right. Pilot stated that aircraft lost all power and continued right bank until impacting ground. Pilot and…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79051. 8.7 MB in all.

- Memorandum for Record: NTSB Form 6120 (item 1, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362851&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%3A%20NTSB%20Form%206120-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record NTSB (item 2, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20NTSB-Master.PDF
- Memorandom for Record: FAA Statement (item 3, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362852&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandom%20for%20Record%3A%20FAA%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record: FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%3A%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Aircraft Maintenance Logbooks Email (item 5, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363358&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Maintenance%20Logbooks%20Email-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1: View of Airplane after Accident (Courtesy of Ocilla Police Department) (item 6, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362855&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20after%20Accident%20(Courtesy%20of%20Ocilla%20Police%20Department)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: View of Propeller (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362858&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20View%20of%20Propeller%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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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