# NTSB FTW99LA263: Piper PA-38-112, N469RA, Ozark, AR, September 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 1999, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Ozark, AR - Coordinates: 35.490207, -93.840126 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4902&lon=-93.8401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47382 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA263 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47382/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA263 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun. A factor was the wet grass runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - airspeed(vr) - not attained, pilot in command - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - fence - object - fence post - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane struck a fence, fence post, and trees during a runway overrun following an aborted takeoff from a private grass airstrip. The pilot landed the airplane at the private grass airstrip without incident. During the subsequent departure, the airplane was not gaining airspeed, and the takeoff was aborted. According to a drawing submitted by the pilot, the airplane had traveled 1,800 feet down the 2,600-foot airstrip when he aborted the takeoff. The pilot reported that the remaining 800 feet of the grass runway 'had been replanted with new grass and had not been mowed, causing insufficient traction to stop.' The passenger reported that 'due to new, wet grass, the airplane slid' off the end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 1999, at 1215 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112 airplane, N469RA, sustained substantial damage when it struck a fence, fence post, and trees during a runway overrun following an aborted takeoff from a private grass airstrip near Ozark, Arkansas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight which was originating at the time of the accident. The destination was Fort Smith, Arkansas, and a flight plan was not filed. The pilot reported that the flight departed the Franklin County Airport near Ozark, Arkansas, at 1150. Before departing on the planned cross-country flight to Fort Smith, the pilot landed at the private grass airstrip near Ozark. During the subsequent departure, the airplane was not gaining airspeed, and the takeoff was aborted. According to a drawing submitted by the pilot, the airplane had traveled 1,800 feet down the 2,600-foot airstrip when he aborted the takeoff. The pilot reported that the remaining 800 feet of the grass runway "had been replanted with new grass and had not been mowed, causing insufficient traction to stop." The passenger reported that "due to new, wet grass, the airplane slid" off the end of the runway. The airplane struck two strands of barbed wire, a metal fence post, and trees beyond the end of the runway. The airplane came to rest between two trees. The wing skins, ribs, and spars sustained damage. Additionally, the cockpit windshield was broken. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N469RA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N469RA), registered now, S/N 38-78A0531, 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: 38-78A0531 - Airframe hours: 5486 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank G. Beckman, Sr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1999, 24 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: FSM, FORT SMITH, AR - Airport: NONE, Frank Lane, runway 9, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 190 total, 120 in this make and model, 127 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19990919045079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990919045079A), Sep 19, 1999: Piper PA38112, Etna, AR, No damage. (-23)On September 19, 1999, at 1215 CDT, a PA-38-112, N469RA, struck a fence and trees during an aborted takeoff from a private grass airstrip near ratcliff,… 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.