# NTSB MIA97LA138: Piper PA-28-160, N5363W, Pickens, SC, April 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 1997, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Pickens, SC - Coordinates: 34.880779, -82.699584 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8808&lon=-82.6996&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38263 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38263/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA138 ## Probable cause failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll from a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in the airplane going off the side of the runway, down an embankment, and into brush/trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The student pilot stated that he had completed his fifth touch-and-go landing and was taking off again. He said that just before reaching rotation speed, the right wing dropped down, and the airplane began to roll on the right main and nose landing gear, turning 45 degrees to the left. The aircraft went off the side of the runway, and subsequently, it went down an embankment into trees and brush, where it came to rest. Postcrash examination of the right landing gear strut showed it was extended above 2 inches and still had air pressure and fluid. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 1997, about 1845 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-160, N5363W, registered to a private individual, crashed when control was lost during takeoff at Pickens County Airport, Pickens, South Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the student-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Pickens, the same day, about 1750. The pilot stated he had completed his fifth touch-and-go landing and was taking off again. Just before reaching rotation speed, the right wing dropped down. The airplane then began to roll on the right main and nose landing gear, and turned 45 degrees to the left. The aircraft went off the side of the runway and he reduced engine power. He did not apply brakes because the aircraft was still on the two wheels. The left main landing gear touched down just about the time the aircraft went down an embankment into trees and brush where it came to rest. Postcrash examination of the right landing gear strut was performed by two mechanics. The strut was found to be holding air pressure and had no evidence of air leaks. The strut contained 2.5 ounces of hydraulic fluid and was extended above 2 inches. (See attached statements.) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5363W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5363W-2013-01-30), registration cancelled 2013-01-30, S/N 28-428, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-428 - Airframe hours: 2884 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Chester D. Maynard - Registered owner: Thomas W. Huntsman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1996, 30 hours before - Departed: LQK - Airport: LQK, Pickens County, runway 23, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 17 total, 17 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AND, 25 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 19970414005899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970414005899A), Apr 14, 1997: Piper PA28160, Pickens, SC, Substantial damage. Lost control at liftoff on touch and go. Veered off runway on right main and nose wheel down a hill into trees. (-23) during his takeoff the student pilot… 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.