# NTSB ERA13CA228: Piper PA-28-140, N33677, Brogue, PA, May 2, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 2, 2013, 10:33 local (14:33 UTC) - Place: Brogue, PA - Coordinates: 39.851387, -76.485 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8514&lon=-76.4850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86812 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86812/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86812 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA228 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a power line. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the flight instructor (CFI), while demonstrating a grass strip departure to a student pilot, he stated that he taxied to a grass strip runway. He instructed the student pilot to conduct the takeoff. The student pilot advanced the throttle and according to the CFI; full takeoff power was achieved. Approximately half way down the runway the airspeed reached minimum rotation speed. The CFI stated that the runway began to upslope. The airspeed increased at a reduced rate, but the engine continued to operate normally. When the airplane reached the top of the slope, airspeed increased to 60 mph and the CFI called out “rotate”. The CFI assisted the student pilot with the rotation. The climbout was normal according to the CFI and the airplane struck a power line approximately 150 feet from the end of the runway 28. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the airframe. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), while demonstrating a grass strip departure to a student pilot, he stated that he taxied to a grass strip runway. He instructed the student pilot to conduct the takeoff. The student pilot advanced the throttle and according to the CFI; full takeoff power was achieved. Approximately half way down the runway the airspeed reached minimum rotation speed. The CFI stated that the runway began to upslope. The airspeed increased at a reduced rate, but the engine continued to operate normally. When the airplane reached the top of the slope, airspeed increased to 60 mph and the CFI called out “rotate”. The CFI assisted the student pilot with the rotation. The climbout was normal according to the CFI and the airplane struck a power line approximately 150 feet from the end of the runway 28. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the airframe. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33677](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33677-2014-10-22), registration cancelled 2014-10-22, S/N 28-7525225, built 1975 (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: 28-7525225 - Airframe hours: 4246 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Kitchen Holdings Inc - Registered owner: Kitchen Holdings Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2013, 63 hours before - Departed: PW8, Brogue, PA - Destination: PW8, Brogue, PA - Airport: PW8, Baublitz Commercial Airport, runway 28, 2,493 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 61; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 17, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 19,003 total, 14 in this make and model, 2,733 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.45 inHg - Observed at: 9W8 ## 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 20130502008259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130502008259A), May 2, 2013: Piper PA-28-140, Brogue, PA, Destroyed. Second flight for student. Takeoff runway 28 at 9W8. Takeoff normal. Engine operation normal. Uphill slope on runway caused airspeed to increase at a reduced… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86812. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1-Stone (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Stone-Redacted.PDF - CFI statement-Stone (item 2, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20statement-Stone-Redacted.PDF - Record of conversation-CFI (item 3, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394168&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversation-CFI-Master.PDF - Photo 1-Front view of wreckage (item 4, .PDF, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-Front%20view%20of%20wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 2-Rear View of airplane (item 5, .PDF, 315 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-Rear%20View%20of%20airplane-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.