# NTSB NYC03LA124: Piper PA-28-140, N560FL, Aurora, NY, June 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 2003, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Aurora, NY - Coordinates: 42.711666, -76.621665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7117&lon=-76.6217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57165 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57165/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA124 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain the proper climb rate. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot was departing to the south on his private 2,000-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, grass runway. He stated the airplane was configured with "two notches" of flaps. He rotated at 60 mph, and climbed at 75 mph. The pilot then realized that the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the 50-foot-high trees located at the end of the runway. As the airplane approached the trees, the pilot made a right turn; however, the left wing struck a tree and the airplane came to rest in a field. The pilot reported that the airplane's gross weight at the time of the accident was about 1,900 pounds. The weather reported at an airport about 22 miles southwest of the accident site, about the time of the accident included winds from 150 degrees at 10 knots, with 17 knot gusts, a temperature of 73 degrees F, and an altimeter setting of 29.73 in/hg. Review of the takeoff distance chart in the airplane owner's handbook revealed that the distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle, at a gross weight of 1,950 pounds was about 1,900 feet. However, the chart was predicated on a takeoff from a level hard surface runway, in a no wind, zero flap configuration. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 2003, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N560FL, was substantially damaged during the initial climb after takeoff from a private grass airstrip in Aurora, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he performed a normal engine run-up, and departed to the south, on his 2,000-foot-long, 60-foot-wide, grass runway. The airplane was configured with "two notches" of flaps. He rotated at 60 mph, and climbed at 75 mph. The pilot then realized that the airplane was not climbing fast enough to clear the 50-foot-high trees located at the end of the runway. As the airplane approached the trees, the pilot made a right turn; however, the left wing struck a tree and the airplane came to rest in a field. The pilot further stated that he did not experience any mechanical malfunctions, and "everything seemed perfectly normal." The pilot reported that he purchased the airplane about 6 months prior to the accident. He also reported 170 hours of total flight experience, which included about 16 hours in the accident airplane. The weather reported at an airport about 22 miles southwest of the accident site, at 1853, included winds from 150 degrees at 10 knots, with 17 knot gusts, a temperature of 73 degrees F, and an altimeter setting of 29.73 in/hg. The pilot reported that the airplane's gross weight at the time of the accident was about 1,900 pounds. Review of the takeoff distance chart in the airplane owner's handbook revealed that the distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle, at a gross weight of 1,950 pounds was about 1,900 feet. However, the chart was predicated on a takeoff from a level hard surface runway, in a no wind, zero flap configuration. The airplane's maximum takeoff gross weight was 2,150 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N560FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N560FL-2004-07-12), registration cancelled 2004-07-12, S/N 28-7125401, built 1971 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7125401 - Airframe hours: 3903 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert W. Bancroft - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 2002, 27 hours before - Departed: NONE, Aurora, NY - Airport: NONE, Private, runway S, 2,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 22, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 170 total, 17 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: PEO, 22 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 20030608017589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030608017589A), Jun 8, 2003: Piper PA28140, Aurora, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 8, 2003, about 1900 EDT, a Piper PA-28-140, N560FL, was substantially damaged during the initial climb after takeoff from a Private grass… 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.