# NTSB LAX07CA165: Piper PA-28-140, N8598N, Moab, UT, May 12, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 12, 2007, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Moab, UT - Coordinates: 38.533332, -109.983329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5333&lon=-109.9833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65779 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65779/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA165 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain and maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall/mush. Also causal was the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely way. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude. ## 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 - terrain condition - soft - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The airplane descended into a river during the initial climb from a private airstrip. During the departure roll, the airplane's landing gear followed contours in the soft, uneven terrain that made up the dirt strip. The airplane accelerated slowly and the pilot realized that he would be unable to abort the takeoff, as brush and low trees were located adjacent to the end of the runway surface. The airplane became airborne and remained in ground effect. The pilot maneuvered the airplane in a right turn to avoid the brush and proceed toward the lower terrain near the river. The pilot physically detected a stall buffet and lowered the nose in an effort to arrest the imminent stall. The airplane descended into the river, coming to rest in shallow water adjacent to a sand bar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. He estimated the density altitude was at least 7,000 feet. ## Factual narrative The airplane descended into a river during the initial climb from a private airstrip. In a written statement, the pilot reported that prior to departure he performed a practice takeoff run. The mock departure encompassed the entire length of the runway, which he performed in an effort to assess the runway surface condition and airplane's performance. He noted that the terrain was soft with mounds of uneven dirt and sand-like material. He taxied back to the approach end and began the takeoff roll. The airplane's landing gear followed contours in the soft terrain, resulting in a slower acceleration. The pilot further stated that as the airplane began to gain airspeed he realized that he would be unable to abort the takeoff, as brush and low trees were located adjacent to the end of the runway surface. The airplane became airborne and remained in ground effect. The pilot maneuvered the airplane in a right turn in an attempt to avoid the brush and proceed toward the lower terrain near the river. The pilot physically detected a stall buffet and lowered the nose in an effort to arrest the imminent stall. The airplane descended into the river, coming to rest in shallow water adjacent to a sand bar. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The pilot estimated the density altitude at 7,000 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8598N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8598N-2007-07-18), registration cancelled 2007-07-18, S/N 28-7125424, built 1971 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7125424 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Departed: UT75, Moab, UT - Destination: CNY, Moab, UT - Airport: UT75, Mineral Canyon Strip Airport, runway 14, 2,000 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 990 total, 540 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F ## 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 20070512007959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070512007959A), May 12, 2007: Piper PA28140, Moab, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot landed on an unimproved dirt runway along a river in a canyon located at approximately 5,000 feet MSL. After touchdown the pilot did not stop as he… ## Other investigations on N8598N (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 LAX72DUJ56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72DUJ56), Nov 13, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N8598N), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage 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.