# NTSB MIA98LA150: Piper PA-22-150, N3900P, Woodstock, GA, May 6, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 1998, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Woodstock, GA - Coordinates: 34.099018, -84.509757 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0990&lon=-84.5098&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38513 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA98LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38513/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA150 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to establish a positive climb to outclimb obstacle (tree) and his decision to execute a takeoff with a tailwind. ## Analysis According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), after a local flight of about 1 hour, the two pilots decided to 'check-out' a grass strip that they had flown over. The grass runway was oriented north/south and they landed on runway 18. On approach, they noted that the runway was 'uphill.' After landing, they noted that the wind shocks indicated that the ground winds were 'calm.' They elected to depart on runway 36, and the PIC initiated a 'short' field takeoff. They crossed a road at the north end of the field, and the PIC stated, '...but [the airplane] did not clear the trees.' He said, '...we clipped the top of the first tree and the prop went through the second...we caught a larger tree on the inboard right wing.' The reported winds about 10 miles north of the crash site were from 150 degrees at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 1998, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N3900P, registered to Air Group Inc., crashed during takeoff at a private airstrip, near Woodstock, Georgia, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport-rated certified flight instructor and private-rated pilot/passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Marietta, Georgia, at 1700. According to the pilot-in-command (PIC), after a local flight of about 1 hour, the two pilots decided to "check-out" a grass strip that they had flown over. The grass runway was oriented north/south and they landed on runway 18. On approach, they noted that the runway was "uphill." After landing, they noted that the wind socks indicated that the ground winds were "calm." They elected to depart on runway 36, and the PIC initiated a "short" field takeoff. They crossed a road at the north end of the field, and the PIC stated, "...but [the airplane] did not clear the trees." He said, "...we clipped the top of the first tree and the prop went through the second...we caught a larger tree on the inboard right wing." The reported winds at Dobbins Airbase, Georgia, located about 10 miles north of the crash site were from 150 degrees at 9 knots. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, climb - weather condition - tailwind - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - climb - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3900P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3900P-2002-04-22), registration cancelled 2002-04-22, S/N 22-3568, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-3568 - Airframe hours: 3957 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Group Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1997, 169 hours before - Departed: RYY, MARIETTA, GA - Destination: VPC, CARTESVILLE, GA - Airport: 5GA4, Air Acres, runway 36, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,254 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MGE, 10 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 19980506008499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980506008499A), May 6, 1998: Piper PA22150, Woodstock, GA, Substantial damage. Struck trees on rising terrain on takeoff. In valley showed no wind but above trees had tailwind. (.4)according to the pilot-in-command (PIC), after a local… ## Other investigations on N3900P (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 CHI86LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA114), Mar 29, 1986: Piper PA-22-150 (N3900P), Plymouth, MI, 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.