# NTSB FTW04LA114: Piper PA-38-112, N6228A, Seminole, OK, April 25, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 2004, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Seminole, OK - Coordinates: 35.233333, -96.666664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2333&lon=-96.6667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 59111 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59111/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA114 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning. A contributing factor was the pilot's use of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - object - vehicle - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - loose gravel/sandy - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - muddy ## Analysis The 6,500-hour pilot executed a short field takeoff at the 500 foot mark of the 3,300-foot long by 20-foot wide, unimproved, gravel road. After a normal run-up and takeoff roll, the airplane rotated, "settled" back onto the road, and impacted a stationary tractor with the left wing. The airplane "spun" around 90-degrees, and slid to the right until it collided with two parked bulldozers. There were muddy soft spots on the left side of the road, and a steel fence post on the left side of the road showed impact marks from what appeared to be the left wing of the airplane. The owner of the private road stated that he had advised the pilot prior to takeoff that he would be improving the road in the near future. The road had not been utilized for some time by airplanes, and about 90% of the surface was loose gravel. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 2004, approximately 1350 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112 single-engine airplane, N6228A, registered to and operated by a private individual, was destroyed after it collided with stationary utility vehicles while attempting to take off from a private gravel road near Seminole, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was destined for Wiley Post Airport (PWA), near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 6,500-hour pilot stated that he taxied to the north end of the 3,300-foot long by 20-foot wide unimproved gravel road. After completing a preflight inspection and run up, he started a "normal" takeoff roll. Just after rotation, the airplane "settled" back onto the road, and impacted a stationary tractor with the left wing. The airplane "spun" around 90-degrees, slid to the right, and collided with two parked bulldozers. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that he observed evidence that the airplane started its takeoff roll about 500 feet down the road. The inspector reported that there were muddy soft spots on the left side of the road, and that a steel fence post on the left side of the road showed impact marks from what appeared to be the left wing of the airplane. Further examination of the wreckage revealed that both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage were structurally damaged, twisted, and buckled. The owner of the private road stated that he had advised the pilot prior to takeoff that he would be improving the road in the near future. The road had not been utilized for some time by airplanes, and about 90% of the surface was loose gravel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6228A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6228A-2005-11-01), registration cancelled 2005-11-01, S/N 38-78A0348, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-7A0348 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-LZC 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hunt Presley - Registered owner: Chet Brakefield - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, Seminole, OK - Destination: PWA, Oklahoma City, OK - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 17, 3,300 × 20 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: SNL, 14 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 20040425005829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040425005829A), Apr 25, 2004: Piper PA38112, Seminole, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot positioned aircraft at approximately 500 ft on an unused 3300 foot grass runway with a gravel road running down its center. Power was applied and… 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.