# NTSB GAA19CA456: Piper PA46, N12KW, Sparta, TN, July 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 27, 2019, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Sparta, TN - Coordinates: 36.058887, -85.527778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0589&lon=-85.5278&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: No injuries - Injuries: 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99941 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA456 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99941/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99941 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA456 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a sign and terrain. Contributing to the need to abort the takeoff was the pilot's improper decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum gross takeoff weight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: cG/weight distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 66 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper PA 46-350P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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 46-350P, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7104620), [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 46-350P, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7104620), [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 46-350P, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7104620), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff, everything appeared "good" until he saw a yellow warning light illuminate. He remembered seeing the letters "hydr…" on the light and became concerned about the landing gear. He decided to abort the takeoff and reduced power and held back pressure on the yoke. He added that he intentionally "let" the airplane go left over grass. As the airplane decelerated, he saw a taxiway sign ahead, the stall warning horn sounded, and the airplane settled back onto the ground on the taxiway sign. The pilot then pulled the yoke full aft and added right brake, and the airplane impacted a ditch. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector corroborated the pilot's statement. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The FAA inspector reported that, during postaccident examination, no warning lights were noted. The pilot reported that, before the flight, he performed weight and balance calculations. He added that the airplane was more than 300 lbs over the maximum allowable gross weight and was "heavy aft." He reported that he had seven people on board the six-seat airplane; six people were sitting in a seat, and one person was sitting on the floor. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during takeoff, everything appeared "good" and then he saw a yellow warning light illuminate. He remembered seeing the letters "hydr…" on the light and became concerned about the landing gear. He decided to abort the takeoff and reduced power and held back pressure on the yoke but the airplane became airborne momentarily. He intentionally "let" the airplane go left over the grass. As the airplane decelerated, he saw a taxiway sign ahead, the stall warning horn sounded, and the airplane settled back onto the ground on the taxiway sign. He pulled the yoke full aft, added right brake, and the airplane impacted a ditch. The pilot reported that before the flight he performed weight and balance calculation. He added that the airplane was in excess of 300 lbs. over the maximum gross weight and was "heavy aft." He reported that he had 7 persons on board the 6-seat airplane, with a person sitting in each seat and one additional sitting on the floor. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that evidence and testimony showed that, during the takeoff, the left wing and nose wheel lifted, and the pilot lost directional control. The airplane veered off the runway, collided with a sign, crossed a taxiway and a ditch, and stopped in front of the terminal parking area. He added that, during a postaccident examination, no warning lights were noted. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12KW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12KW), registered now, S/N 4636255, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA46 (350P) - Registry model: [Piper PA 46-350P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-350p) (registry code 7104620) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-series) (registry code 41569, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4636255 - Year built: 2000 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Allied Moulded Products, Inc. - Registered owner: Allied Moulded Products, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SRB, Sparta, TN - Airport: SRB, Upper Cumberland Rgnl, runway 22, 6,704 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 400 total, 5 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KSRB ## 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 20190727012699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190727012699A), Jul 27, 2019: Piper PA 46-350P, Sparta, TN, Substantial damage. On the morning of July 27, 2019 a private pilot acting as pilot in command of a Piper PA-46-350P departed byran Ohio, his destination was ashville, NC. The… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 3, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99941. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476403&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476404&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476405&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 936 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476406&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.