# NTSB ERA20CA240: Piper PA28R, N3725T, Bardstown, KY, July 6, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2020, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Bardstown, KY - Coordinates: 37.814445, -85.499725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8144&lon=-85.4997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101554 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101554/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101554 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA240 ## Probable cause The commercial pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and subsequent loss of lateral bank control during a soft field 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 · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that he was preparing for a flight instructor practical examination, with a flight instructor onboard acting as a student pilot. After demonstrating several normal and short field takeoff and landings, the commercial pilot began to demonstrate a soft field takeoff. The commercial pilot reported that he "smoothly applied full power" and verified that the engine instruments were operating normally. He further reported that shortly after liftoff, while the airplane was in ground effect, the left wing dipped, and he attempted to correct the lateral bank with right aileron, however the left-wing continued to drop. Subsequently, the flight instructor stated, "we're stalling!" as the airplane touched down on the left side of the runway in a nose high, left wing down attitude. The airplane veered off the runway and the right main landing gear collapsed. During the runway excursion, the right wing sustained substantial damage. Neither pilots reported any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3725T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3725T-2021-08-21), registration cancelled 2021-08-21, S/N 28R-30031, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28R (180) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-30031 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 3272.3 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: NexGen Aviation LLC. - Registered owner: Ralsten Aircraft Leasing LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 2020 - Departed: LOU, Louisville, KY - Destination: BRY, Bardstown, KY - Airport: BRY, Samuels Field, runway 03, 5,003 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 23, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 273 total, 69 in this make and model, 191 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 5, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,252 total, 77 in this make and model, 1,185 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: BRY ## 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 20200706007989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200706007989A), Jul 6, 2020: Piper PA-28R-180, Bardstown, KY, Substantial damage. The pilot in command was receiving instruction to prepare for his flight instructors rating, he was flying from the right seat and was performing a soft field… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 5, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101554. 6.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485912&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Commercial Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 418 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485913&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Commercial%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Flight Instructor Statement (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485914&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 4, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485915&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.