# NTSB LAX06CA282: Piper PA-28-140, N4813T, Auburn, CA, September 2, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2006, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Auburn, CA - Coordinates: 39.000305, -121.090484 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0003&lon=-121.0905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration Sacramento FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64462 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64462/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA282 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to comply with weight and balance limitations and failure to attain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and loss of control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane stalled and collided with terrain during takeoff, and went into a canal. The pilot reported that the weight of the airplane was 2,300 pounds, which is 150 pounds above the certified maximum gross weight of the airplane. He stated that he had not paid thorough attention to the weight and balance considerations. The airplane did not obtain enough airspeed at takeoff, which resulted in a departure stall, and the collision with terrain. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 2006, about 0845 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N4813T, collided with terrain during takeoff at Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight was originating with a planned destination of Santa Ynez, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the primary wreckage were 38 degrees 57.28 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 4.90 minutes west longitude. The pilot stated in a written report that he was departing from runway 7. At a speed of 65 miles per hour he rotated the nose of the airplane up for liftoff. He failed to obtain enough airspeed, which resulted in a departure stall. The pilot lost control of the airplane, collided with the ground, and went into a canal. The pilot and his passengers evacuated the airplane with minor injuries. The water in the canal was swift, and the airplane drifted downstream. The fuselage was completely submerged in the canal. The left wing was bent up sharply and sticking out of the water. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions. He also stated that he had not paid thorough attention to weight and balance considerations. According to the pilot the weight at the time of the accident was 2,300 pounds, which is 150 pounds above the airplane's certified maximum gross weight. Several witnesses stated they saw the airplane approaching the end of the runway with the wheels still on the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4813T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4813T-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 28-7225212, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7225212 - Airframe hours: 3912 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006 - Departed: AUN, Auburn, CA - Destination: IZA, Santa Ynez, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: AUN, Auburn Muni, runway 7, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 50 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: AUN ## 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 20060902020079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060902020079A), Sep 2, 2006: Piper PA28140, Auburn, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot departed Auburn airport with three passengers and baggages on board and stalled aircraft. Aircraft crashed and was destroyed. Pilot and two… ## Other investigations on N4813T (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 LAX94LA381](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA381), Sep 25, 1994: Piper PA-28 (N4813T), Woodland, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed during a short field approach and the inadvertent entry into a stall/mush condition. In addition, the instructor failed to take proper… 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.