# NTSB LAX00LA333: Piper PA-28-180, N4208T, Payson, AZ, September 10, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 2000, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Payson, AZ - Coordinates: 34.189037, -111.169242 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1890&lon=-111.1692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50232 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA333 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50232/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA333 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll due to over-rotation, inadequate airspeed, and improper remedial action under the high density altitude condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of experience, pilot in command - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - runway light - object - tree(s) ## Analysis With three passengers and 30 gallons of fuel in the tanks, the pilot commenced the takeoff roll on a 5,500-foot-long runway, elevation 5,157 feet mean sea level. The density altitude was about 7,650 feet. As the airplane accelerated, it veered left and right, the nose pitched up, and the tail tie down ring scraped on the runway. Directional control was lost, and the airplane overran runway lights and came to rest upon colliding with a tree. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunctions were experienced with his airplane during the flight. The pilot's total flying experience was 75.3 hours. He was issued a pilot certificate 17 days prior to the mishap. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 2000, about 1330 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N4208T, collided with a tree during an attempted takeoff from the Payson Airport, Payson, Arizona. The pilot owned and operated the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Neither the private pilot nor the three passengers was injured during the flight. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91, and it was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that no engine roughness was noted during the pretakeoff engine check, and the magneto drop was within limits. The engine's mixture was leaned for the high density altitude condition, and the takeoff roll from runway 24 commenced. The airplane's nose pitched up, the airplane yawed left and right, and the tail contacted the runway surface. Thereafter, control was lost and the airplane impacted runway lights and came to rest after colliding with a tree. The pilot further reported that the combined weight of all the occupants was about 585 pounds. About 30 gallons of fuel were in the fuel tanks. He also indicated that no mechanical malfunctions were experienced during the flight. The outside air temperature was about 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Payson's runway 24 is 5,500 feet long, and the airport's elevation is about 5,157 feet mean sea level. The calculated density altitude was approximately 7,650 feet (plus or minus about 100 feet). The Federal Aviation Administration issued a private pilot certificate to the pilot on August 24, 2000. The pilot reported that by the accident date, his total flying experience was 75.3 hours, and his experience in the accident airplane was about 27 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4208T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4208T-2001-02-15), registration cancelled 2001-02-15, S/N 28-7205097 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7205097 - Airframe hours: 4096 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark Zimmerman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2000, 37 hours before - Departed: E69 - Destination: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Airport: PAN, Payson, runway 24, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 27 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 183 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: E69 ## 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 20000910013939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000910013939A), Sep 10, 2000: Piper PA28180, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Airmand was departin pan,da of 7300 ffet, just under gross weight. According to the performance chart that he used (for a PA-28-161) he would have had a… 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.