# NTSB LAX99LA012: Piper PA-32R-301T, N4316L, Apple Valley, CA, October 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 12, 1998, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Apple Valley, CA - Coordinates: 34.570632, -117.150703 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5706&lon=-117.1507&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45135 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45135/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA012 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent use of the aircraft's brakes while using the rudder pedals to maintain directional alignment during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - loose gravel/sandy - brakes(normal) - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(vr) - not attained - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot was picking up two pilots who ferried an aircraft to the paint shop. The aircraft was towed to the departure end of the runway and takeoff checks were completed. The aircraft failed to accelerate normally but the pilot attributed this to either the sand and dirt runway, or the turbocharger lagging. He stated he did not put his heels on the floor and must have inadvertently maintained some brake pressure as he used the rudder to maintain directional alignment. The aircraft passed over a depression in the runway and became airborne momentarily. It settled back to the runway and bounced over a fence. It contacted a tree and the right wing separated at the wing root. The aircraft traveled another 50 feet before coming to rest. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical discrepancies with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On October 12, 1998, at 0930 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32-301T, N4316L, collided with ground obstructions while attempting to takeoff from the Holiday Ranch Airport, Apple Valley, California. The aircraft was operated by the commercial pilot/owner under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and sustained substantial damage. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot picked up two pilots who had flown another plane to the paint shop and was returning to Long Beach, California. The pilot stated the airplane was towed to the end of the runway for a northerly departure and a normal run-up was conducted. After completing the run-up and checking instruments, the pilot applied takeoff power. He used the rudder pedals during the takeoff to maintain directional lineup. Less than normal acceleration was attributed to either the sand/dirt composition of the runway or a lagging turbocharger. He stated he left his feet on the rudder pedals without moving his heels to the floor, and must have inadvertently been applying some brake pressure. Approximately midway down the runway the aircraft traveled through a slight dip in the runway and momentarily became airborne. However, the aircraft fell back to the ground, then bounced back into the air and over a fence. The right wing impacted a tree and separated from the aircraft near the fuselage. The aircraft continued approximately 50 feet before coming to rest. All switches were secured and everyone exited the aircraft. In his written report, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical discrepancies with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4316L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4316L-2001-07-09), registration cancelled 2001-07-09, S/N 32R-8329036 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-8329036 - Airframe hours: 3050 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John Rich - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1998, 12 hours before - Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA - Airport: Holiday Ranch ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 583 total, 32 in this make and model, 583 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DAG, 23 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 19981012039999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981012039999A), Oct 12, 1998: Piper PA32R301T, Apple Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (.19)On October 12, 1998, at 0930 hours pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32-301T, N4316L, collided with ground obstructions while attempting to takeoff form… 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.