# NTSB ERA23LA199: Piper PA28, N2448R, Somerset, KY, April 8, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 8, 2023, 08:55 local (12:55 UTC) - Place: Somerset, KY - Coordinates: 37.050958, -84.620018 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0510&lon=-84.6200&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: 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): 107078 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/107078/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107078 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA199 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with an airport navigation antenna. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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) - [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) ## 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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo student pilot was taking off in gusting wind and described that shortly after rotation, he saw the stall warning light illuminate. He reported that although the engine was developing full power and he leveled off to regain airspeed, the airplane settled back onto the runway and “pulled left.” Despite the pilot’s attempt to keep the airplane on the runway, it departed the runway, impacted an instrument landing system antenna, crossed a taxiway, and then came to rest. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2448R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2448R), registered now, S/N 28-5624 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (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: 28-5624 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 5616 - Engines: Lycoming O360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 31, 2023, 0 hours before - Destination: LEX, Lexington, KY - Airport: SME, Lake Cumberland Rgnl, runway 5, 5,801 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 8, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 68 total, 23 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: SME - METAR: KSME 081255Z AUTO 07008KT 10SM OVC042 09/M02 A3029 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S ## 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 20230408003969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230408003969A), Apr 8, 2023: Piper PA-28-180, Somerset, KY, Substantial damage. Pre-flight, engine start, and run-up were normal. Pilot initiated take-off roll and upon reaching 55 knots, rotated from the runway. Immediately upon rotation,… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107078. 2.8 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=15418652&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statements (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 191 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15359583&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record - FAA inspector discussion (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15359876&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20Inspector-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 326 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15359427&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.