# NTSB MKC86LA149: Piper PA-30, N7259Y, Arkansas City, KS, July 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1986, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Arkansas City, KS
- Coordinates: 37.060626, -97.039161 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0606&lon=-97.0392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA149

## 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
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - disabled (contributing factor)
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, dual student (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, dual student (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT HIS INTENTIONS FOR THIS FLIGHT WERE TO SIMULATE AN ENGINE POWER LOSS DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND HAVE THE STUDENT PERFORM A REJECTED TAKEOFF PROCEDURE. ACCORDING TO THE C.F.I., AT APPROXIMATELY 48 KNOTS HE REDUCED POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE BY CUTTING OFF FUEL FLOW WITH THE MIXTURE CONTROL BUT THE STUDENT'S SLOW REACTION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, AND THE GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER OUT OF CONTROL, BEYOND CORRECTIVE ACTION. POST-ACCIDENT CALCULATIONS REVEAL THAT THE RUNWAY IN USE HAD A HEADWIND COMPONENT OF 17 KNOTS, A CROSSWIND COMPONENT OF 11 KNOTS, AND A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF 3,000 FEET ACTING ON NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7259Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7259Y-1989-01-26), registration cancelled 1989-01-26, S/N 30293 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-293
- Airframe hours: 4669
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alpha Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1986, 25 hours before
- Departed: WLD, ARKANSAS CITY, KS
- Destination: K50, DERBY, KS
- Airport: WLD, Strother, runway 17, 5,510 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,882 total, 1,119 in this make and model, 3,718 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 16 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ICT, 35 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 19860713032459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860713032459A), Jul 13, 1986: Piper PA30, Arkansas City, KS, Substantial damage. The instructor failed an engine on takeoff. The student was slow to abort and the aircraft veered off the runway.

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.

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