# NTSB NYC01LA092: Piper PA-28R-180, N4586J, Lexington, VA, April 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 4, 2001, 07:05 local (11:05 UTC) - Place: Lexington, VA - Coordinates: 37.779094, -79.439544 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7791&lon=-79.4395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52015 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52015/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA092 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the runway conditions. Factors included the soggy runway conditions, and the lack of available takeoff performance data in the owners manual. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - condition(s)/step(s) not listed, manufacturer (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot attempted a takeoff from a "slight upslope," 2,200-foot grass strip with random low spots. The takeoff was attempted after several days of rain, and the ground was still soggy. After liftoff, the airplane struck a 6-inch square wooden fence post at the departure end of the runway, which tore skin off a wing, and damaged the wing spar, aileron and anti-servo trim tab. The pilot then landed the airplane ahead, in an open field, about 300 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. During the landing, the right main landing gear collapsed. No mechanical malfunctions contributed to the accident. The owners handbook stated that takeoffs should be made with flaps up, but only provided takeoff distance data for airplanes configured with flaps 25 degrees, and maximum power from a paved, level, and dry runway. Winds were about 70 degrees off the airplane's nose, at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 4, 2001, at 0705 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N4586J, was substantially damaged when it struck a fencepost during a takeoff from a private airstrip in Lexington, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for the flight, between Lexington and Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD), Weyers Cave, Virginia. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to statements from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and the pilot, the pilot attempted the takeoff from Runway 33, a 2,200-foot grass strip with random low spots. The takeoff, from a "slight upslope," was attempted after several days of rain, and the ground was still soggy. After liftoff, the airplane struck a 6-inch square wooden fence post at the departure end of the runway, which tore skin off a wing, and damaged the wing spar, aileron and anti-servo trim tab. The pilot then landed the airplane ahead, in an open field, about 300 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. During the landing, the right main landing gear collapsed. Post-accident examination of the airplane confirmed that there were no contributing mechanical malfunctions. The Piper Cherokee owners handbook stated that takeoffs should be made with flaps up. However, takeoff data was only provided for airplanes configured with flaps 25 degrees, performing a "maximum effort" takeoff from a paved, level, and dry runway. Winds, recorded at an airport 25 nautical miles to the southeast, about 10 minutes before the accident, were from 040 degrees true, at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4586J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4586J-2015-07-31), registration cancelled 2015-07-31, S/N 28R-30457, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R30457 - Airframe hours: 3930 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald P. Jeffer, Jr. - Registered owner: Aero Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 2000, 48 hours before - Departed: NONE, Lexington - Destination: SHD, Weyer's Cave, VA - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip, runway 33, 2,100 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 11, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 141 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 9 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: LYH, 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 20010404007299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010404007299A), Apr 4, 2001: Piper PA28R180, Lexington, VA, Substantial damage. (-23)Pilot attempted take-off on 2,200 foot long grass strip after several days of rain. Take-off after aircraft passed the end of the runway. Left wing of… 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.