# NTSB LAX03LA154: Piper PA-32R-301T, N99TX, Paulden, AZ, May 18, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 18, 2003, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Paulden, AZ - Coordinates: 34.909999, -112.533889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9100&lon=-112.5339&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Avation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57016/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA154 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to attain and maintain the proper climb airspeed. The high density altitude condition was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - climb - not attained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane collided with power lines in the takeoff initial climb from a dirt airstrip. The pilot said that in the takeoff roll he noticed that it was taking longer than normal to lift off from the dirt airport. Upon rotation the pilot maintained a nose high attitude attempting to climb, but the pilot did not retract the landing gear. The airplane remained in ground effect and would not climb. The airplane struck a set of utility lines at the end of the runway. The density altitude was computed to be 6,167 feet. The pilot said that there were no mechanical malfunctions with either the engine or the airframe. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 2003, about 0930 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, N99TX, collided with power lines while departing from Big Springs Ranch Airport (AZ27), Paulden, Arizona. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries; the post impact fire destroyed the airplane. The personal cross-country flight was departing Paulden en route to Salt Lake City, Utah. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 34 degrees 54 minutes north latitude and 112 degrees 32 minutes west longitude. A witness who lives on the airport saw the airplane taking off on runway 24. He watched the airplane lift off and maintain a nose high attitude, but it failed to gain altitude. The airplane engine sounded normal to him. The airplane struck power lines located at the west end of runway 24. The pilot reported that he was departing AZ27 using runway 24, which is a dirt runway. During the takeoff roll the airplane did not "lift off as early" as he was accustomed to with less weight. He was nervous about the power lines at the end of the runway. He rotated and kept the airplane in a nose high attitude trying to clear the power lines. The pilot did not retract the landing gear. The airplane continued to fly after rotation, but did not climb out of ground effect. The airplane struck the bottom set of utility lines. After the airplane came to rest, everyone exited the airplane with only minor injuries. In his written report, the pilot said that there were no mechanical malfunctions with either the engine or the airframe. The density altitude was computed to be 6,167 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N99TX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99TX-2017-03-24), registration cancelled 2017-03-24, S/N 32R-8029070, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R-301T - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-8029070 - Airframe hours: 2321 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-SIAD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dewey J. Levie - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 2002 - Departed: AZ27, PAULDEN, AZ - Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Airport: AZ27, Big Spring Ranch, runway 24, 4,300 × 75 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 27, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 25 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: PRC, 17 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 20030518010009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030518010009A), May 18, 2003: Piper PA32R301T, Paulden, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he could not gain alt after t.o. hit power lines, crashed, acft completely burnt. 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.