# NTSB ERA13CA260: Piper PA-28-140, N5715F, Ellenville, NY, May 30, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2013, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Ellenville, NY - Coordinates: 41.684165, -74.351387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6842&lon=-74.3514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87049/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87049 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA260 ## Probable cause The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed 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: 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. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: 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 The student pilot reported that she was returning to her home airport after being discontinued from her private pilot practical test. Upon departure and initial climb, she maneuvered the airplane into a valley and proceeded to attempt a climb over a ridge that was approximately 1,500 feet higher than the departure airport elevation. The student pilot stated that she knew as soon as she flew into the valley, the airplane was not going to be able to climb over the ridge, and that she was unable to turn the airplane around. She added that she performed a "controlled" crash into the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and to both wings. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that she was returning to her home airport after being discontinued from her private pilot practical test. Upon departure and initial climb, she maneuvered the airplane into a valley and proceeded to attempt a climb over a ridge that was approximately 1,500 feet higher than the departure airport elevation. The student pilot stated that she knew as soon as she flew into the valley, the airplane was not going to be able to climb over the ridge, and that she was unable to turn the airplane around. She added that she performed a "controlled" crash into the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and to both wings. The student pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5715F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5715F-2014-07-14), registration cancelled 2014-07-14, S/N 28-24927, built 1968 (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: 28-24927 - Airframe hours: 4301 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 3, 2013, 72 hours before - Departed: N89, Ellenvile, NY - Destination: MGJ, Montgomery, NY - Airport: N89, Joseph Y Resnick Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 70 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: MGJ, 12 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 20130530009419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130530009419A), May 30, 2013: Piper PA-28-140, Ellenville, NY, Substantial damage. This student pilot departed the Ellenville airport after a "practical test" discontinuance. She departed southwest on runway 22, and made a left turn to avoid… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87049. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Local Agencies (item 2, .PDF, 354 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Local%20Agencies-Redacted.PDF - Excerpts from Maintenance Logs. (item 3, .PDF, 500 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Maintenance%20Logs.-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Wreckage Area (Photo Courtesy of FAA). (item 5, .PDF, 648 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20Wreckage%20Area%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA).-Master.PDF - Global Positioning System Device - Specialist's Factual Report (item 6, .PDF, 3 photos, 753 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420992&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Global%20Positioning%20System%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Global Positioning System Device - Specialist's Factual Report - Attachment 1 (item 7, .CSV, 3 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420993&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Global%20Positioning%20System%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Attachment%201-Master.csv 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.