# NTSB ERA16LA192: Piper PA 28-180, N7781W, Batavia, NY, May 19, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2016, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Batavia, NY - Coordinates: 43.029167, -78.165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0292&lon=-78.1650&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 October 2, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93223 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93223/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93223 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA192 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with runway signs. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [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-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-28-180, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot successfully performed two touch-and-go landings and returned to the same runway to perform a third. He reported that, after a normal touchdown, he applied engine power, and at rotation speed the airplane veered to the left. He was unable to correct with right rudder input. The airplane subsequently traveled off the side of the runway and impacted signs, which resulted in damage to both left and right wing fuel tanks. The pilot continued the takeoff, and, after becoming airborne, noted fuel streaming from the left fuel tank; the engine subsequently experienced a total loss of power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane and landed uneventfully on a road. Postacccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Neither fuel tank contained fuel, and it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion caused by the breaches of the fuel system. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2016, about 1320 eastern daylight time, a privately owned and operated Piper PA-28-180, N7781W, was substantially damaged during landing at Genesee County Airport (GVQ), Batavia, New York. The student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight that was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated about 1300 from Akron Airport (9G3), Akron, New York.The student pilot stated that he departed from 9G3 and flew to GVQ where he performed two uneventful touch-and-go landings on runway 28. During a third touch-and-go landing he landed uneventfully, retracted the flaps, and added engine power. He was utilizing some right rudder input as the airplane reached rotation speed (approximately 70 mph), and "pulled hard to the left," which he could not correct with full application of right rudder. As the airplane approached the left side of the runway, he noted runway signage, but because the airplane was at takeoff speed, he thought climbing above the signs would result in a safer outcome and continued the takeoff. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and while attempting to clear the signage off the left side of the runway, both wings collided with separate signs, which breached both fuel tanks. The pilot continued the takeoff and while turning left to land on a nearby road, he noted fuel streaming from the left fuel tank and the engine lost power. He flew under one set of powerlines and then over a second set before landing uneventfully on the road. Examination of the airport and airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed browning of grass beyond both impacted airport signs, and for a short distance past the point where the airplane became airborne. Both fuel tanks were breached; neither contained any fuel. Flight control continuity was confirmed for all flight controls. Examination of the impacted airport signs revealed their posts were frangible. The pilot reported the wind to be from north at 8 mph with no gusts, while a weather observation taken about 26 minutes before the accident at an airport located about 22 nautical miles east-northeast from GVQ reported the wind was from 280° at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7781W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7781W-2019-02-25), registration cancelled 2019-02-25, S/N 28-1788, built 1964 (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: 28-1788 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 3284 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 2015 - Departed: 9G3, Akron, NY - Destination: GVQ, Batavia, NY - Airport: GVQ, Genesee County, runway 28, 5,499 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 102.4 total, 102.4 in this make and model, 29.7 as pilot in command, 65.5 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: ROC, 22 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 20160519009009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160519009009A), May 19, 2016: Piper PA-28-180, Batavia, NY, Substantial damage. On may 19, 2016, the accident aircraft departed akron airport (9G3) around 1310 hours, and was flown to genesee county airport gvq. The airplane was piloted by… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93223. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 379 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation (item 4, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455250&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Investigative Photographs (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 11 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455251&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%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. --- 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.