# NTSB LAX02LA054: Piper PA-28RT-201, N3023K, Prescott, AZ, December 24, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 24, 2001, 08:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.620018, -112.419761 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6200&lon=-112.4198&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 53943 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53943/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA054 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate removal of snow and ice from the surfaces of the airplane before takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command - ice/frost removal from aircraft - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft performance - deteriorated - lift-off - not attained ## Analysis After takeoff the airplane would not climb and, with insufficient runway remaining to abort the takeoff, the pilot made an intentional gear-up landing at the departure end of the runway. Airport personnel who responded to the scene found most of the wing surfaces were covered with 1/8- to 3/8-inch of snow and ice. The pilot reported that he spent 1.5 hours with a broom and a cloth removing snow and "most of [the] ice" from the fuselage and wings. He also reported there were no mechanical malfunctions and stated "I must assume I hadn't enough lift due to ice particles." ## Factual narrative On December 24, 2001, at 0855 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28RT-201, N3023K, failed to climb after takeoff on runway 21L and settled back onto a taxiway at Ernest A. Love Field, Prescott, Arizona. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91, and was destined for Sacramento, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot had filed a visual flight rules flight plan; however, the flight plan had not yet been activated. According to airport staff personnel who responded to the scene, "most of the wing surfaces" were covered with 1/8- to 3/8-inch of snow and ice. In his report to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that he spent 1.5 hours with a broom and a cloth removing snow and "most of [the] ice" from the fuselage and wings. After takeoff the airplane would not climb and, with insufficient runway remaining to abort the takeoff, he made a gear-up landing. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions and stated "I must assume I hadn't enough lift due to ice particles." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3023K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3023K), registered now, S/N 28R-7918022, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28RT-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7918022 - Airframe hours: 3225 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James W. Mason - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2001, 47 hours before - Departed: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Destination: SAC, Sacramento, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PRC, Ernest A. Love Field, runway 21L, 7,616 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,729 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 3,729 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: PRC, 1 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 20011224036849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011224036849A), Dec 24, 2001: Piper PA28RT201, Prescott, AZ, No damage. (.19) On December 24, 2001, at 0855 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28RT-201, N3023K, failed to climb after takeoff on runway 21L and settled back… ## Other investigations on N3023K (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA24LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA132), Mar 8, 2024: Piper PA-28RT-201 (N3023K), Allentown, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the final approach, resulting in a hard landing and collision with a runway edge light. 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.