# NTSB ERA14CA046: Piper PA 28-161, N9236L, Clewiston, FL, November 11, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 11, 2013, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Clewiston, FL
- Coordinates: 26.735277, -81.051109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7353&lon=-81.0511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88452
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88452/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88452
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA046

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [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: 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

According to the student pilot, he landed at his second destination airport, performed a full stop, and taxied back to runway 13 for departure. He lined up on runway centerline and applied a left crosswind correction by turning the yoke to the left. After applying takeoff power and starting his ground roll the right wing rose upwards. The pilot responded by applying right aileron, right rudder, and brakes; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a thousand foot marker. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed right wing spar damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the student pilot, he landed at his second destination airport, performed a full stop, and taxied back to runway 13 for departure. He lined up on runway centerline and applied a left crosswind correction by turning the yoke to the left. After applying takeoff power and starting his ground roll the right wing rose upwards. The pilot responded by applying right aileron, right rudder, and brakes; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a thousand foot marker. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed right wing spar damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9236L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9236L-2018-04-24), registration cancelled 2018-04-24, S/N 2841122, 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: 2841122
- Year built: 1989
- Airframe hours: 13528
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Safety International Inc
- Registered owner: Flight Safety International Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 24, 2013
- Departed: OBE, Okeechobee, FL
- Destination: 2IS, Clewiston, FL
- Airport: 2IS, Airglades, runway 13, 5,901 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 30; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: IMM, 26 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 20131111022979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131111022979A), Nov 11, 2013: Piper PA-28-161, Clewiston, FL, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Received pre-flight instruction and preparation from his instructor, [privacy data omitted], as well as a dtc duats weather brieing on…

## Other investigations on N9236L (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA94LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA184), Jul 25, 1994: Piper PA-28-161 (N9236L), Naples, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN WINGTIP CLEARANCE WHILE TAXIING RESULTING IN THE ON-GROUND COLLISION WITH A LIGHT POLE.

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88452. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 648 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record, FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404826&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record,%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record, Safety Result (item 4, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404824&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record,%20Safety%20Result-Master.PDF
- Photograph #1: View of Airplane At Accident Site (Courtesy of Flight Safety) (item 5, .PDF, 680 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404916&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20At%20Accident%20Site%20(Courtesy%20of%20Flight%20Safety)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #2: Interior View of Right Wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%232%3A%20Interior%20View%20of%20Right%20Wing%20(Courtesy%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.

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