# NTSB ERA13CA317: Piper PA-28-151, N44293, Bronston, KY, July 8, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 8, 2013, 16:07 local (21:07 UTC) - Place: Bronston, KY - Coordinates: 36.984722, -84.620552 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9847&lon=-84.6206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 87422 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA317 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87422/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87422 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA317 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s reduced climb performance due to density altitude, as well as the pilot’s decision to initiate the takeoff from the wet turf runway. ## 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-28-151, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-151, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102805), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was attempting a soft-field takeoff from a turf runway that he described as “extremely wet and soggy with tall grass.” The airplane became airborne approximately halfway down the 2,500-foot-long runway, and the pilot reported that climb performance was degraded due to hot weather conditions. During the climb, the left landing gear impacted a line of trees past the runway end. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain airspeed, and the airplane subsequently stalled and impacted an open field, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The fuselage was consumed by post-crash fire. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was attempting a soft-field takeoff from a turf runway that he described as “extremely wet and soggy with tall grass.” The airplane became airborne approximately halfway down the 2,500-foot-long runway, and the pilot reported that climb performance was degraded due to hot weather conditions. During the climb, the left landing gear impacted a line of trees past the runway end. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain airspeed, and the airplane subsequently stalled and impacted an open field, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The fuselage was consumed by post-crash fire. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44293](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44293-2014-08-06), registration cancelled 2014-08-06, S/N 28-7415616, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7415616 - Airframe hours: 10500 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 2013, 1 hours before - Departed: 08KY, Bronston, KY - Destination: IOB, Mt. Sterling, KY - Airport: 08KY, Boss Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 12, 2011; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 850 total, 300 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: SME, 5 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 20130708025689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130708025689A), Jul 8, 2013: Piper PA-28-151, Bronston, KY, Destroyed. N44293 upon departure from Boss Field at approximately 1959 zulu (15:59 local time). There were two souls onboard. Information gathered thus FAR indicated both… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87422. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 937 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402031&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402030&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Interview-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.