# NTSB ERA12CA585: Piper PA-28-140, N56796, Maryville, TN, September 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 22, 2012, 07:30 local (11:30 UTC) - Place: Maryville, TN - Coordinates: 35.507778, -84.068885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5078&lon=-84.0689&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 February 27, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85176 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA585 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85176/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85176 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA585 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to plan and execute a takeoff that assured obstacle clearance at the departure end of the runway, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/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-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner stated that during the takeoff from his private airstrip, the airplane was unable to gain sufficient altitude to clear the trees at the end of the grass runway. The left wing and landing gear struck the top of a tree; the airplane impacted the ground nose first and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the wings, engine, firewall, and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, he stated that he did not complete performance planning calculations prior to takeoff. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner stated that during the takeoff from his private airstrip, the airplane was unable to gain sufficient altitude to clear the trees at the end of the grass runway. The left wing and landing gear struck the top of a tree; the airplane impacted the ground nose first, and came to rest inverted. A post-accident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the wings, engine, firewall, and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, he stated that he did not complete performance planning calculations prior to takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56796](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56796-2018-01-10), registration cancelled 2018-01-10, S/N 28-7425037, built 1973 (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: 28-7425037 - Airframe hours: 2325 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 2012, 15 hours before - Departed: N/A, Maryville, TN - Destination: K2A0, Dayton, TN - Airport: N/A, Private Airstrip, runway 10, 1,969 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 12, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 453 total, 300 in this make and model, 383 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KTYS, 10 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 20120922021229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120922021229A), Sep 22, 2012: Piper PA-28-140, Maryville, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot departed (tys) mcgee tyson airport located in aloca Tennessee at approximatley 0700. Pilot landed at his personal 1900' grass strip located at [privacy… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85176. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 823 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380897&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Weather Information (item 3, .PDF, 411 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380899&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Weather%20Information-Master.PDF - Picture of Accident Airplane - courtesy of FAA (item 4, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Picture%20of%20Accident%20Airplane%20-%20courtesy%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. --- 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.