# NTSB IAD05CA018: Piper PA 28-181, N720GP, York, PA, November 25, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 25, 2004, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: York, PA - Coordinates: 39.916942, -76.872779 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9169&lon=-76.8728&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 60634 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05CA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60634/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05CA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and his decision to depart from a rain-soaked runway with strong quartering tailwinds, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with a fence during the aborted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - weather condition - rain - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was advised of heavy rain in the area of the departure airport, and he decided to delay the takeoff for 30 minutes. While he waited, the pilot was contacted by the departure controller and advised that there was a "hole" to the west, and was offered a clearance. The pilot accepted the clearance and taxied to runway 17 in light rain. During the takeoff roll, the wind increased, the rain fell harder, and the pilot struggled to maintain directional control. At 55 knots, about the midpoint of the 5,100-foot runway, the takeoff was aborted but the airplane overran the runway and struck a fence beyond the departure end. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane, and that the airplane hydroplaned on the large amounts of standing water on the runway. The weather reported at the airport included winds from 300 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 27 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 25, 2004, at 0730 eastern standard time, a Piper PA 28-181, N720GP, was substantially damaged during a runway overrun and collision with a fence following an aborted takeoff from York Airport (THV), York, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that was destined for Raleigh/Durham International Airport (RDU), Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot explained that the purpose of the flight was to fly his family to Florida for the Thanksgiving Holiday. In addition, their bags were shipped ahead, and the airplane was only partially filled with fuel, to remain within weight and balance limitations. The pilot received a weather briefing by telephone prior to departure. Once in the airplane, he conferred with air traffic control by radio about "level 3 and level 4 rain activity" in the York area, and decided to delay his departure for 30 minutes. While he waited, the pilot was contacted by the controller and advised that there was a "hole" to the west, and was offered a clearance. The pilot accepted the clearance and taxied to runway 17. During taxi, and at the beginning of the takeoff roll, a light rain fell. As the takeoff roll continued, the wind increased, the rain fell harder, and the pilot struggled to maintain directional control. At 55 knots, about the midpoint of the 5,100-foot runway, the takeoff was aborted but the airplane overran the runway and struck a fence beyond the departure end. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane, and that the airplane hydroplaned on the large amounts of standing water on the runway. When asked if the water was visible, he said that "small waves" were visible on the surface due to the wind. At 0739, the weather reported at York Airport included wind from 300 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 27 knots. The ceiling was overcast at 6,000 and the visibility was 2 1/2 miles in heavy rain and mist. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N720GP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N720GP), registered now, S/N 28-7790366, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7790366 - Engines: Lycoming O360A4M reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas J. Olson - Registered owner: Olson Aircraft, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: THV, York, PA - Destination: RDU, RALEIGH/DURHAM, NC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: THV, York, runway 17, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 419 total, 362 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 17 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Observed at: THV ## 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 20041125035109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041125035109A), Nov 25, 2004: Piper PA28181, York, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot aborted take-off on runway 17 at the York Airport (thv), in thomasville, Pennsylvania. The pilot [privacy data omitted] over ran the runway and… 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.