# NTSB ERA20CA110: Piper PA28, N7450R, Cortland, NY, December 24, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 24, 2019, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Cortland, NY - Coordinates: 42.592777, -76.214996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5928&lon=-76.2150&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100988 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA110 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100988/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100988 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA110 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during takeoff, which resulted in impact with a snowbank and a subsequent nose-over. ## 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-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot reported that, while practicing a soft-field takeoff, the airplane entered ground effect and drifted left of the runway centerline. The airplane continued to drift left, struck a snowbank, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The solo student pilot reported that, while practicing a soft field takeoff, the airplane entered into ground effect and drifted left of runway center line. The airplane continued to drift left, struck a snowbank, landed in the snow adjacent the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and right wing. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7450R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7450R-2021-03-20), registration cancelled 2021-03-20, S/N 28-21994, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28 (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: 28-21994 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 8125 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 2019 - Departed: N03, Cortland, NY - Destination: N03, Cortland, NY - Airport: N03, Cortland County-Chase Field, runway 06, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 34.7 total, 34.7 in this make and model, 2.2 as pilot in command, 14.6 in the last 90 days, 4.5 in the last 30 days, 1.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: ITH, 13 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 20191224018929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191224018929A), Dec 24, 2019: Piper PA-28-140, Cortland, NY, Substantial damage. ^Mr. Anderson^ is currently the holder of a student pilot certificate. He has a current solo endorsement, and a current medical certificate. He was the sole… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 3, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100988. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481948&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481949&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Damage Photos (item 3, .PDF, 409 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photos-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.