# NTSB MIA03LA111: Piper PA-32-260, N3921W, Fort Meade, FL, May 23, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 2003, 07:30 local (11:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Meade, FL - Coordinates: 27.809165, -81.665832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8092&lon=-81.6658&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 57089 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57089/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA111 ## Probable cause Thew failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff after travelling past the estimated point of liftoff, and failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed during the initial climb resulting in inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent with subsequent impact onto the runway. ## 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 - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot stated that he performed weight and balance calculations before the flight by asking the passenger's their weights and estimating the weights of the passenger's bags. He calculated the airplane was in center of gravity and weight limits. He performed a preflight inspection of the airplane, no discrepancies were noted. Before takeoff from the 3,000-foot-grass strip with approximately 4-inch tall grass, he performed an engine run-up with no discrepancies noted. He lowered the flaps to 10 degrees and initiated a short/soft field takeoff; he applied full power while rolling onto the runway. The engine responded and he estimated the airplane became airborne approximately 3/4 down the runway. While airborne at 20 feet above ground level, the airplane, "...stalled came back down and began sliding." The airplane traveled through 3 fences before coming to rest. He further stated he expected the airplane should have become airborne about 1/2 way down the runway, and there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. The airplane was recovered and no repairs to the engine or its systems were performed. With FAA oversight, the engine was started and operated to 2,000 rpm. Safety concerns prevented operation to a higher rpm; no discrepancies were noted during the engine run. The engine was operated with the fuel selector positioned to the tank that had been selected for takeoff (right main fuel tank). ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2003, about 0730 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3921W, listed with the FAA as "Sale Reported", stalled and collided with the ground and fences during takeoff from a private airstrip near Fort Meade, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed but not activated for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and there were no injuries to the private-rated pilot or three passengers. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he performed weight and balance calculations before the flight by asking the passengers their weight and estimating the weight of the passengers' bags. He calculated the airplane was in center of gravity and weight limits. He performed a preflight inspection of the airplane, no discrepancies were noted. Before takeoff from the 3,000-foot-grass strip with approximately 4-inch tall grass, he performed an engine runup with no discrepancies noted. He lowered the flaps to 10 degrees and initiated a short/soft field takeoff; he applied full power while rolling onto the runway. The engine responded and he estimated the airplane became airborne approximately 3/4 down the runway. While airborne at 20 feet above ground level, the airplane, "...stalled came back down and began sliding." The airplane traveled through three fences before coming to rest. He further stated he expected the airplane should have become airborne about 1/2 way down the runway, and there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. The airplane was recovered and no repairs to the engine or its systems were performed. With FAA oversight, the engine was started and operated to 2,000 rpm. Safety concerns prevented operation to a higher rpm; no discrepancies were noted during the engine run. The engine was operated with the fuel selector positioned to the tank that had been selected for takeoff (right main fuel tank). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3921W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3921W), registered now, S/N 32-868, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-868 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James A. Caldwell - Registered owner: "Sale Reported" - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Fort Meade, FL - Destination: MYAM, Marsh Harbor - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 15, 2002; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KBOW ## 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 20030523015109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030523015109A), May 23, 2003: Piper PA32260, Lake Wales, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On Friday 23 may, 2003 at approximately 09:00 eastern daylight time, Mr. James a. caldwell, holder of private pilot certificate no. 266560335, attempted… 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.