# NTSB GAA20CA014: Piper PA38, N9708T, Colorado Springs, CO, October 15, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 15, 2019, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Colorado Springs, CO - Coordinates: 38.942779, -104.569999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9428&lon=-104.5700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100413 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100413/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100413 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA014 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading while taking off with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in impact with a fence. ## 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-38-112, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=7103812), [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-38-112, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-38-112, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103812), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane drifted left of the runway heading. He attempted to correct, but the airplane continued to drift left, impacted a fence, and came to rest in a horse corral. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff the airplane drifted left off runway heading. He attempted to correct, but the airplane continued to drift left, impacted a fence and came to rest in a horse corral. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was 220° at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot reported that, about the time of the accident the wind was 330° at 11 knots. The airplane was departing from runway 08. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9708T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9708T-2021-01-08), registration cancelled 2021-01-08, S/N 38-78A0164, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA38 (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: 38-78A0164 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 3463.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2019 - Departed: FLY, Colorado Springs, CO - Destination: SAA, Saratoga, WY - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: FLY, Meadow Lake, runway 08, 2,074 × 35 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 609.5 total, 607.4 in this make and model, 569.5 as pilot in command, 55.5 in the last 90 days, 15.1 in the last 30 days, 4.9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KFLY ## 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 20191015019269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191015019269A), Oct 15, 2019: Piper PA-38-112, Peyton, CO, Destroyed. Aircraft took off from runway 08, veered to the left, hitting horse coral fence. Aircraft stopped inside of horse coral. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 8, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100413. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479685&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 248 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479686&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.