# NTSB MIA04CA094: Piper PA-28-140, N41916, Lake Wales, FL, June 7, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 7, 2004, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Wales, FL - Coordinates: 27.953611, -81.601387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9536&lon=-81.6014&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59421 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59421/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04CA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff resulting in an overrun of the runway and subsequent impact with water. A finding in the accident was the pilot's failure to extend the flaps to the second notch (25 degrees). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - climb - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot stated he positioned the airplane at the beginning of runway 36 for a soft-field takeoff noting the turf runway was wet; however, he failed to extend the flaps to the 25 degree setting (2nd notch). He selected an abort point halfway down the runway, advanced power for takeoff and pulled back on the yoke. The takeoff roll was progressing but the airplane was not accelerating sufficiently for takeoff. He lowered the nose to gain additional speed for the takeoff. He noticed the airplane had passed the abort point and aborted the takeoff. At that point he judged the remaining runway inadequate for stopping and advanced the throttle to full power. The airplane became airborne but did not climb when it reached the steep down slope departure end of the runway just before the lake. The airplane contacted the lake coming to rest 15 feet into the lake in about 5 feet of water at an azimuth heading of 180 degrees. He and the passenger exited the airplane without assistance. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2004, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N41916, registered to and operated by DeBenair Aviation Service, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, impacted into the Suzanne Lake at Chalet Suzanne Air Strip, Lake Wales, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and passenger reported no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time. The pilot stated he positioned the airplane at the beginning of runway 36 for a soft-field takeoff noting the turf runway was wet; however, he failed to extend the flaps to the 25 degree setting (2nd notch). He selected an abort point halfway down the runway, advanced power for takeoff and pulled back on the yoke. The takeoff roll was progressing but the airplane was not accelerating sufficiently for takeoff. He lowered the nose to gain additional speed for the takeoff. He noticed the airplane had passed the abort point and aborted the takeoff. At that point he judged the remaining runway inadequate for stopping and advanced the throttle to full power. The airplane became airborne but did not climb when it reached the steep down slope departure end of the runway just before the lake. The airplane contacted the lake coming to rest 15 feet into the lake in about 5 feet of water at an azimuth heading of 180 degrees. He and the passenger exited the airplane without assistance. The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41916](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41916-2018-10-23), registration cancelled 2018-10-23, S/N 28-7425296, built 1974 (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: 287425296 - Airframe hours: 3698.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: De Benair Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 18, 2004, 5.6 hours before - Departed: KX25, Lake Wales, FL - Destination: KTIX, Titusville, FL - Airport: KX25, Chalet Suzanne, runway 36, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 277 total, 3 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KBOW, 9 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 20040607017619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040607017619A), Jun 7, 2004: Piper PA28140, Lakes Wales, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he was practicing a soft field takeoff. He said the flaps were set at 0 degrees and should have been at 25. He did not have sufficient… ## Other investigations on N41916 (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 NYC78FA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FA068), Jun 29, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N41916), Millville, NJ, 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.