# NTSB ERA12LA314: Piper PA-28-161, N746RA, Lake Wales, FL, April 28, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 28, 2012, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Wales, FL - Coordinates: 27.893888, -81.620277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8939&lon=-81.6203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83533 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA314 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83533/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83533 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA314 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s decision to depart from an intersection with insufficient runway remaining for takeoff, which resulted in a rejected takeoff and subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis After observing the student pilot’s successful performance of several takeoffs and landings, the flight instructor exited the airplane and briefed the student pilot for solo traffic pattern work. The student pilot taxied to the end of the runway and performed the first takeoff and landing without incident. The student pilot then began his second takeoff at the runway’s intersection with a taxiway, which left about 1,000 feet of runway remaining. The flight instructor advised the student pilot on the common traffic advisory frequency not to perform an intersection departure. The student pilot stated that he did not hear the radio call. The student pilot initiated the takeoff but stated the airplane was not climbing properly and aborted the takeoff. With insufficient runway remaining to stop and with obstacles ahead, the student pilot veered right then collided with bushes. Postaccident examination and an engine run revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failure that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On April 28, 2012, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N746RA, registered to N70FT, Inc., operated by Airline Career Academy, collided with bushes during a rejected takeoff at Lake Wales Municipal Airport (X07), Lake Wales, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 instructional flight from X07. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The student pilot stated that earlier that day he and his certified flight instructor (CFI) flew to X07 where he performed several touch-and-go landings. The CFI later reported that the student performed 3 uneventful landings and a go-around. On approach before the last landing the CFI simulated loss of engine power, and the student maneuvered the airplane in the traffic pattern and landed uneventfully. The CFI endorsed the student pilot’s logbook and medical certificate for solo flight, and the student pilot reported that he taxied to runway 06, and departed remaining in the traffic pattern performing an uneventful full-stop landing. While taxiing towards the approach end of runway 06, he missed the turn and taxied onto taxiway Delta, where he held short of the runway. The CFI later reported that he transmitted to the student to advise him not to depart from the intersection; however, the student stated he did not hear the transmission from the CFI. The student stated that based on his preflight planning, he knew he would need only 800 feet for takeoff and knew there was sufficient runway remaining to depart. He taxied onto the runway, and applied takeoff power. The airplane accelerated to rotation speed (63 knots) and he pulled on the control yoke to rotate, but the airplane did not rotate so he elected to abort the takeoff. The CFI further reported that the airplane became airborne flying for about 5 to 6 seconds only 3 to 4 feet above the runway. The student pilot stated that he was unable to bring the airplane to a stop on the runway, veered to the right and collided with bushes. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector-in-charge, approximately 1,000 feet of runway remained at the intersection of taxiway Delta. A surface observation weather report taken at Bartow Municipal Airport at 1215 eastern daylight time indicated the wind was from 080 degrees at 8 knots, the visibility was 10 miles, and scattered clouds existed. The temperature and dew point were 28 and 17 degrees Celsius respectively, and the altimeter setting was 30.10 inches of Mercury. The accident site was located approximately 9 nautical miles and 294 degrees from X07. After the accident the engine was operated under supervision of an FAA Inspector to full static rpm with no discrepancies noted The FAA Inspector also inspected the main landing gear brakes and found no evidence ofpre-accident failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N746RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N746RA-2016-06-02), registration cancelled 2016-06-02, S/N 2841136, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2841136 - Airframe hours: 16977 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Airline Career Academy - Registered owner: N70ft Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 2012, 99 hours before - Departed: X07, Lake Wales, FL - Destination: X07, Lake Wales, FL - Airport: X07, Lake Wales Municipal Airport, runway 06, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 43 total, 43 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: BOW, 9 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 20120428008069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120428008069A), Apr 28, 2012: Piper PA-28-161, Lake Wales, FL, Substantial damage. An aircraft assigned to airlines career academy in kissimmee was performing pattern solo training at the Lake Wales airport. During this time the instructor… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83533. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375034&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375036&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous (Director of Maintenance's Statement) (item 3, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375035&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20(Director%20of%20Maintenance%27s%20Statement)-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Record of Conversation (item 4, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375039&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversation-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.