# NTSB NYC05LA092: Piper PA-44-180, N2148F, Wadsworth, OH, June 7, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 7, 2005, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Wadsworth, OH - Coordinates: 41.028331, -81.798332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0283&lon=-81.7983&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Cleveland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61640 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61640/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA092 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to verify that the engine controls were completely retarded during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - powerplant controls - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The student pilot was attempting a short-field takeoff on a 2,360-foot-long, asphalt runway. As the student pilot began the takeoff roll, the flight instructor reduced the right engine throttle to simulate an engine failure. The student pilot reduced the left engine throttle, and began braking. The flight instructor then instructed the student pilot to resume the takeoff. The flight instructor stated that the airplane accelerated normally to a rotation speed of about 63 knots. The student pilot indicated that the airplane was not lifting off, and the flight instructor elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane was about halfway down the runway, when the flight instructor retarded the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls, and began braking. He then realized the engines were still producing power. The flight instructor further stated that by the time he again reached for the engine controls, it was too late to stop. The airplane departed the end of the runway, rolled through a ditch, and came to rest in a field. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. Nor did the flight instructor report any. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2005, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-44-180, N2148F, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from the Weltzien Skypark Airport (15G), Wadsworth, Ohio. The certificated flight instructor and a student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to written statements, the student pilot was attempting a short-field takeoff from runway 21, a 2,360-foot-long, 37-foot-wide, asphalt runway. As the student pilot began the takeoff roll, the flight instructor reduced the right engine throttle to simulate an engine failure. The student pilot reduced the left engine throttle, and began braking. The flight instructor then instructed the student pilot to resume the takeoff, and the student pilot advanced both throttles forward. The flight instructor stated that the airplane accelerated normally to a rotation speed of about 63 knots. The student pilot indicated that the airplane was not lifting off, and the flight instructor elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane was about halfway down the runway, when the flight instructor retarded the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls, and began braking. He then realized the engines were still producing power. The flight instructor further stated: "By the time I again reached for the levers, it was too late to stop, and we skidded off the runway...." The airplane departed the end of the runway, rolled through a ditch, and came to rest in a field. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. Nor did the flight instructor report any. In retrospect, the flight instructor said that instead of aborting the takeoff, he should taken control of the airplane from the student pilot, and positively rotated during the takeoff roll. The flight instructor reported 2,043 hours of total flight experience, which included about 132 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. He also stated that at the time of the accident, the winds were calm, and the outside air temperature was 92 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2148F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2148F), registered now, S/N 44-7995157, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (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: 44-7995157 - Airframe hours: 5926 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Skypark Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 2005 - Departed: 15G, Wadsworth, OH - Airport: 15G, Weltzien Skypark, runway 31, 2,360 × 37 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 58; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 2,043 total, 132 in this make and model, 1,933 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 38; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 3 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: BJJ, 12 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 20050607023999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050607023999A), Jun 7, 2005: Piper PA44180, Wadsworth, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff pilot stated that aircraft failed to respond during rotation. Aircraft ran off the end of runway, across a road and slid 200 ft into a… 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.