# NTSB FTW98LA046: Piper PA-22-150, N9607D, Broomfield, CO, November 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 1997, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Broomfield, CO - Coordinates: 39.88906, -105.109085 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8891&lon=-105.1091&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20481 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20481/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA046 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, due to inadvertently stepping on the brake. A related factor was the pilot's excessive use of rudder for steering. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - rudder - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot said he began the takeoff roll and at 25 to 30 mph, he raised the tail. The airplane 'immediately jerked to the left.' The pilot corrected with right rudder, overshot the runway centerline, and the airplane 'jerked to the left' again. The pilot aborted the takeoff, but the airplane skidded off the right side of the runway. The right landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. In an interview with the pilot, he said he 'over-corrected' and the airplane began 'fish tailing.' The right wing then contacted the ground as the aircraft swerved to the left and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said he may have inadvertently stepped on a brake, causing the loss of control. ## Factual narrative On November 7, 1997, approximately 1100 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-22-150 (converted to a PA-20), N9607D, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during the takeoff roll at Broomfield, Colorado. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot said he began the takeoff roll and at 25 to 30 mph, he raised the tail. The airplane "immediately jerked to the left." The pilot corrected with right rudder, overshot the runway centerline, and the airplane "jerked to the left" again. The pilot aborted the takeoff but the airplane skidded off the right side of the runway. The right landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. In an interview with the pilot, he said he "over-corrected" and the airplane began "fish tailing." The right wing then contacted the ground as the aircraft swerved to the left and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said he may have inadvertently stepped on a brake, causing the loss of control. Damage was consisted of a collapsed right main landing gear, bent left wing spar, and twisted engine cowling. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9607D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9607D), registered now, S/N 22-6517, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-6517 - Airframe hours: 3272 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Howard D. Armstrong - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1997, 49 hours before - Departed: BJC - Airport: BJC, Jefferson County, runway 11L, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,659 total, 92 in this make and model, 3,126 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BJC ## 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 19971107032679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971107032679A), Nov 7, 1997: Piper PA22150, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on take off roll, other circ unk, broomfield, CO. (.4)the pilot said he began the takeoff roll and at 25 to 30 mph, he raised the tail. The… 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.