# NTSB GAA15CA047: Piper PA 16, N5616H, Hartwell, GA, April 22, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 22, 2015, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Hartwell, GA - Coordinates: 34.382221, -82.945556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3822&lon=-82.9456&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 9, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91070 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91070/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91070 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA047 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101602), [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-16, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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-16, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101602), [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-16, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-16, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7101602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that about 700 feet into the takeoff roll, the airplane began to drift left as he approached the narrowest part of the runway. The airplane departed the runway to the left, impacted trees, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot and sole passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that about 700 feet into the takeoff roll, the airplane began to drift left as he approached the narrowest part of the runway. The airplane departed the runway to the left, impacted trees, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot and sole passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5616H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5616H-2018-03-14), registration cancelled 2018-03-14, S/N 16-224, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 16 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (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: 16-224 - Year built: 1949 - Airframe hours: 1978 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mountain Air Inc - Registered owner: Mountain Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2014 - Departed: 0GA2, Hartwell, GA - Destination: EOE, NEWBERRY, SC - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 0GA2, Airnautique, Inc., runway 26, 2,600 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 127 total, 109 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KAND, 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 20150422005789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150422005789A), Apr 22, 2015: Piper PA-16, Hartwell, GA, Substantial damage. Inspector arrived on scene to find aircraft had departed runway into trees adjacent to the runway. Aircraft sustained substantial damage. 2 occupants were on… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91070. 8.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 939 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.