# NTSB ERA14CA233: Piper PA 28-180, N15230, Indian Trail, NC, May 11, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 11, 2014, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Indian Trail, NC
- Coordinates: 35.121112, -80.587219 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1211&lon=-80.5872&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: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89191/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89191
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA233

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flap retraction during a short field takeoff, which resulted in the aircraft experiencing an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees.

## Findings

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

- [Flight control system: tE flap control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022750/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he intended to perform a short field takeoff due to trees at the end of the 2,350-foot-long runway. A pretakeoff engine run up revealed no anomalies, and the pilot initiated the takeoff with the wing flaps extended 10 degrees. "Immediately" after takeoff, the pilot raised the flaps, and felt as though the airplane's nose was "pushed down." The airplane contacted trees at the end of the runway and subsequently impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the engine firewall. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to the airplane owner's handbook, when operating from short runways, "[takeoff] distances can be reduced appreciably by lowering flaps to 25 degrees." The Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A further stated, "On short-field takeoffs, the landing gear and flaps should remain in takeoff position until clear of obstacles and [best rate of climb] has been established. It is usually advisable to raise the flaps in increments to avoid sudden loss of lift."

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he intended to perform a short field takeoff due to trees at the end of the 2,350-foot-long runway. A pretakeoff engine run up revealed no anomalies, and the pilot initiated the takeoff with the wing flaps extended 10 degrees. "Immediately" after takeoff, the pilot raised the flaps, and felt as though the airplane's nose was "pushed down." The airplane contacted trees at the end of the runway and subsequently impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the engine firewall. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to the airplane owner's handbook, when operating from short runways, "[takeoff] distances can be reduced appreciably by lowering flaps to 25 degrees." The Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A further stated, "On short-field takeoffs, the landing gear and flaps should remain in takeoff position until clear of obstacles and [best rate of climb] has been established. It is usually advisable to raise the flaps in increments to avoid sudden loss of lift."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15230](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15230-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 28-7305039, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7305039
- Year built: 1972
- Airframe hours: 4340
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wild Wingdom LLC
- Registered owner: Wild Wingdom LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 2014, 5 hours before
- Departed: 28A, Indian Trail, NC
- Destination: 28A, Indian Trail, NC
- Airport: 28A, Goose Creek Airport, runway 04, 2,300 × 35 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 8, 2014; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 56 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: EQY, 6 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 20140511005319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140511005319A), May 11, 2014: Piper PA-28-180, Indian Trail, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed rwy 4 at approximately 1500 EST with the pilot and 3 pax. Pilot stated that he had calculated the weight of the pax prior to departure. Pilot…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89191. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417283&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector’s Statement (item 2, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%E2%80%99s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Owner’s Handbook Excerpt (item 3, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Owner%E2%80%99s%20Handbook%20Excerpt-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 – Right wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 15 B): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417288&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%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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