# NTSB ERA21LA181: Piper PA-32R-300, N1664H, Stockbridge, GA, April 9, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 9, 2021, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Stockbridge, GA - Coordinates: 33.537086, -84.184049 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5371&lon=-84.1840&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 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): 102900 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102900/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102900 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA181 ## Probable cause The flying pilot’s failure to configure the flaps for a short field takeoff and delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/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-32R-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-300, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7103213), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the owner of the airplane, who was the non-flying pilot seated in the right seat, prior to takeoff an engine runup was completed with no anomalies observed, and in addition, the wind sock indicated a calm wind. The owner reported that he and the pilot flying briefed the procedures for a short-field takeoff, back taxied to the end of the runway, and applied the brakes. The pilot flying increased the engine power, released the brakes, and began the takeoff roll. He attempted to rotate; however, the stall warning sounded, and he lowered the nose to accelerate more. The pilot flying again attempted to rotate, the stall warning horn sounded, and at this point the owner took the controls, calling for an aborted takeoff. The owner reduced engine power and applied the brakes; however, the airplane continued off the end of the runway and struck a ditch. A postaccident fire ensued, and the pilots and passenger egressed the airplane without injury. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The owner reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the airplane’s pilot operating handbook, the flaps should be set to the second notch, or 25° for a short field takeoff. After the accident, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and noted that the flaps were in the first notch, or 10° position. Further, the owner acknowledged that, “…it is possible that the flaps were not set correctly on takeoff.” Given this information, it is likely that the pilot did not properly configure the airplane, which is why the airplane was unable to become airborne during the short field takeoff attempt. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1664H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1664H-2021-08-26), registration cancelled 2021-08-26, S/N 32R-7780171 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7780171 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 1893 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: SouthEast Aircraft Leasing LLC - Registered owner: SouthEast Aircraft Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 2021 - Destination: PDK, Chamblee, GA - Airport: 7GA7, Berry Hill Airport, runway 29, 3,000 × 40 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 751 total, 51 in this make and model, 664 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 27; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 20, 2020; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,768 total, 27 in this make and model, 1,682 as pilot in command, 211 in the last 90 days, 98 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: ATL, 14 nm away - METAR: KATL 091452Z 19006KT 10SM FEW014 SCT180 BKN250 21/17 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP147 T02110167 51003 ## 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 20210409004539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210409004539A), Apr 9, 2021: Piper PA-32R-300, Stockbridge, GA, Destroyed. On April 9, 2021, at 1153 eastern daylight time, a Piper lance, PA32R-300, N1664H, [privacy data omitted], operated by a commercial pilot, ran off of the end… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102900. 8.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12261038&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=LA181%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot and passenger statements (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12585703&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Statements%20N1664H_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot operating handbook excerpt - short field takeoff checklist (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12262044&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pages%20from%20VB-840%20PA-32R-300%20Cherokee%20Lance-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA inspector (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12262054&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20Color%20FAA%20Inspector-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12261298&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA181-Rel.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.