# NTSB FTW98LA294: Piper PA-28-140, N1656J, Tulsa, OK, July 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 1998, 20:20 local (Jul 3, 1998, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Tulsa, OK - Coordinates: 36.180992, -96.050445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1810&lon=-96.0504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20667 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20667/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA294 ## Probable cause The airplane's impeded climb performance for undetermined reasons. A factor was the rising terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - aircraft performance - deteriorated - aircraft performance,climb capability - impeded (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) ## Analysis The flight was scheduled to review flight maneuvers prior to the student's practical flight test for the private pilot certificate. The airplane was configured with 25 degrees of flaps for a simulated short field takeoff. The flight instructor added that 'the engine sounded smooth during the entire flight' and the airplane appeared to accelerate normally as it became airborne by the 2,000 foot runway marker. After breaking ground, the 66 hour student pilot established the airplane at the best angle of climb speed; however, the airplane's climb performance was degraded to the point that the airplane was only climbing at a rate of 100 feet per minute. The flight instructor assumed the controls and initially managed to maneuver the airplane around rising terrain and obstructions at the departure end of the runway. The engine was examined under the supervision of the FAA inspector. The engine was started and operated through the normal flight parameters. No pre-existing engine deficiencies were noted and the investigation did not reveal any evidence that the engine was not capable of operating and producing power prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 1998, at 2020 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N1656J, was substantially damaged upon collision with trees and terrain while on initial takeoff climb from the Tulsa Downtown Airpark near Tulsa, Oklahoma. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries and the student pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the student pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local training flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to review flight maneuvers prior to the student's flight test for the private pilot certificate which was scheduled for July 6. The flight instructor stated that "the magnetos and the static RPM checks were found to be normal" during the engine runup. He added that the airplane was within weight and balance limits with 30 gallons of fuel onboard. The flight instructor reported that the airplane "was configured with 25 degrees of flaps for a simulated short field takeoff" from runway 20. The flight instructor added that "the engine sounded smooth during the entire flight" and the airplane appeared to accelerate normally as it became airborne by the 2,000 foot marker of the 2,965 foot long runway. After breaking ground, the 66 hour student pilot established the airplane at the best angle of climb speed; however, the airplane's climb performance was degraded to the point that the airplane was only climbing at a rate of 100 feet per minute. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and initially managed to maneuver the airplane toward the west, around the rising terrain and obstructions at the departure end of the runway. The flight instructor added that "when the impact was inevitable, he reduced the power and lowered the flaps in order to impact at the slowest possible speed." He added that the 1967 model airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses for any of the occupants. Examination of the wreckage by a FAA inspector revealed that the nose landing gear folded aft and both main landing gear were pushed aft. The engine firewall and underside of the fuselage sustained structural damage. According to the maintenance records for the airplane, the Lycoming O-320-E2A engine, serial number L-22017-27 had accumulated a total of 129 hours since its last major overhaul. The engine was examined on August 27, 1998, under the supervision of the FAA inspector. The damaged propeller was removed and a test propeller installed. The engine was started and operated through the normal flight parameters. No pre-existing engine deficiencies were noted and the investigation did not reveal any evidence that the engine was not capable of operating and producing power prior to the accident. A copy of the report for the engine examination is enclosed. There was no reported convective activity within 50 nautical miles of the airport. The winds at the Tulsa International Airport were reported from 180 degrees at 9 knots. The IIC calculated the density altitude at 2,109 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1656J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1656J-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 28-24052, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-24052 - Airframe hours: 5450 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Everett D. Oaks - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1997 - Departed: 5F2 - Airport: 5F2, Tulsa Downtown Airpark, runway 20, 2,965 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUL, 11 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 19980702015719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980702015719A), Jul 2, 1998: Piper PA28140, Tulsa, OK, Substantial damage. The flight was scheduled to review flight maneuvers prior to the studen's practical flight test for the private pilot certificate. The airplane was configured… ## Other investigations on N1656J (2) 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. - [NTSB FTW83LA408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA408), Aug 24, 1983: Piper PA-28-140 (N1656J), Winslow, AR, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW76FRJ27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FRJ27), May 28, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N1656J), Cotton Valley, LA, substantial damage 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.