# NTSB NYC06LA066: Piper PA-28-181, N8335Y, Henderson, WV, January 31, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 31, 2006, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Henderson, WV - Coordinates: 38.797779, -82.074165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7978&lon=-82.0742&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63171 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63171/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA066 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to attempt the off-airport takeoff; and his improper decision to continue the takeoff after striking a pole during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - pole - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - wire,static ## Analysis The pilot conducted a forced landing to a field 2 days prior to the accident, due to fuel exhaustion. On the day of the accident, the pilot added approximately 6 gallons of fuel to the airplane, and attempted to takeoff through a corn field and parking lot. Approximately 550 feet from the point at which the airplane began the takeoff roll, the left wing struck a 6-foot tall, 4 by 4-inch wood pole. The airplane veered to the left, and started to climb; however, the airplane subsequently pitched down and impacted power lines. The airplane's left wing was severed at the root, and it impacted the ground nose first, about 1,400 feet from the point where the pilot began the takeoff roll. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. The property owner reported that the pilot was aware of the pole prior to takeoff. The pilot had painted a red makeshift centerline on the ground; however, the airplane drifted left of the marked centerline during the takeoff roll. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 2006, about 1015 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8335Y, was substantially damaged when it struck wires, and then impacted the ground, during the initial climb after takeoff from a field in Henderson, West Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight destined for Canton, Ohio. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, witnesses reported that the pilot conducted a forced landing to the field, which was parallel to State Route 35, on January 29, 2006, due to fuel exhaustion. On the day of the accident, the pilot added approximately 6 gallons of fuel to the airplane, and attempted to takeoff through a corn field and parking lot. Approximately 550 feet from the point at which the airplane began the takeoff roll, the left wing struck a 6-foot tall, 4 by 4-inch wooden pole. The airplane veered to the left, and started to climb; however, the airplane subsequently pitched down and impacted power lines. The airplane's left wing was severed at the root, and it impacted the ground nose first. The airplane came to rest in a nearly vertical position. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The airplane's left wing contacted the pole about 2.5 feet inboard of the wingtip. The airplane came to rest about 1,400 feet from the point where the pilot began the takeoff roll. The property owner reported that the pilot was aware of the pole prior to takeoff. The pilot had painted a red makeshift centerline on the ground; however, the airplane drifted left of the marked centerline during the takeoff roll. The airplane had been operated for about 10 hours since its most recent annual inspection, which was performed on September 25, 2005. The toxicological testing report from the FAA Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was negative for drugs and alcohol for the pilot. The pilot also held a flight instructor certificate with instrument instructor privileges for single-engine land airplanes. He reported 1,030 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA first class medical certificate, which was issued on April 23, 2005. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8335Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8335Y-2007-08-10), registration cancelled 2007-08-10, S/N 28-8190163, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-8190163 - Airframe hours: 7000 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: L.B. Insurance Agency Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005, 10 hours before - Departed: NONE, Henderson, WV - Destination: Canton, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: fatal; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2004; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,034 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HTS, 39 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 20060131012239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060131012239A), Jan 31, 2006: Piper PA28181, Henderson, WV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) During take off roll with flaps fully retracted from a corn field and through a parking lot the airplane struck a wood post with the left wing 2.5 feet… 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.