# NTSB NYC01LA124: Piper PA-28-140, N6899W, Elizabethtown, KY, May 12, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 2001, 19:40 local (23:40 UTC) - Place: Elizabethtown, KY - Coordinates: 37.700763, -85.869995 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7008&lon=-85.8700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52263 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52263/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA124 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis During a takeoff attempt, just before liftoff, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder with no effect. When he saw that the airplane was going to veer off the runway, he closed the throttle and applied both brakes. The airplane continued off the runway, through the median between the runway and the taxiway, over the taxiway, and into a ditch. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the airplane. Weather at an airport 60 miles to the north included winds 30 degrees to the left of the pilot's takeoff runway, at 11 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 2001, about 1940 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6899W, was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway during a takeoff attempt at Addington Field (EKX), Elizabethtown, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries, and his passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was attempting to take off from Runway 05. Everything appeared normal until just before liftoff, when the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder with no effect. When he saw that the airplane was going to veer off the runway, he closed the throttle and applied both brakes. The airplane continued off the runway, through the median between the runway and the taxiway, over the taxiway, and into a ditch. The pilot did not report any mechanical difficulties with the airplane. The pilot also reported the weather was "clear, the runway was dry, the wind was light and not a factor." Weather, recorded at an airport 60 miles to the north about the time of the accident, included winds from 020, at 11 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6899W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6899W-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 28-21062, built 1965 (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: 28-21062 - Airframe hours: 4431 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Willaim T. Tabb - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 2000, 7 hours before - Departed: EKX, Elizabethtown, KY - Airport: EKX, Addington Field, runway 05, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 2, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 627 total, 557 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: SDF, 60 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 20010512010889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010512010889A), May 12, 2001: Piper PA28140, Elizabethtown, KY, Substantial damage. (-23)Airman initiated takeoff on rwy 05 at kekx, at approx 80 mph IAS a/c veered to the left and departed rwy 05 at a 40 to 45 angle. A/c continued for approx.… 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.