# NTSB SEA02LA167: Piper PA-28-140, N5781F, Big Creek, ID, August 28, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 2002, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC) - Place: Big Creek, ID - Coordinates: 45.116664, -115.321662 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1167&lon=-115.3217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Boise FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA02LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55595/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA167 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff. Factors include high density altitude, variable winds, and a ditch near the point where the aircraft departed the side of the runway. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) ## Analysis During a high density altitude takeoff, just as the aircraft's main gear were lifting off the runway, the aircraft dropped firmly back onto the runway surface. At that point, the pilot looked at the windsock at the far end of the runway and saw that it indicated a tailwind. He therefore elected to abort the takeoff, but failed to maintain adequate directional control of the aircraft during its deceleration. The aircraft therefore departed the left side of the runway, whereupon the nose gear and right main gear entered a nearby drainage ditch, which allowed the right wing to impact the terrain and sustain substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 2002, approximately 1650 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N5781F, impacted the terrain during an aborted takeoff from Big Creek Airport, Big Creek Lodge, Idaho. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which was departing for McCall, Idaho, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, just as the main gear were lifting off, the aircraft seemed to lose lift and "dropped" back onto the runway surface. At that point, the pilot looked at the windsock at the far end of the runway and determined that it was indicating a tailwind. He therefore made the decision to abort, but as he tried to bring the aircraft to a stop, he was unable to maintain directional control and the aircraft departed the left side of the runway. After departing the runway, the aircraft's nose gear and right main gear entered a nearby drainage ditch, thus allowing the right wing to impact the terrain and sustain substantial damage. Based on the ambient conditions of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and an altimeter setting of 30.20 inches of mercury, it was determined that the density altitude at the time of the attempted takeoff was approximately 7,550 feet. According to the pilot, the engine seemed to be producing "peak power," and there were no indications that there had been any problem with the engine or the aircraft's systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5781F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5781F), registered now, S/N 28-25088, built 1968 (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: 28-25088 - Airframe hours: 4665 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kevin D. Murray - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 2002, 15 hours before - Departed: U60, Big Creek, ID - Destination: MYL, McCall, ID - Airport: U60, Big Creek, runway 01, 3,550 × 110 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 12, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 343 total, 200 in this make and model, 291 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg ## 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 20020828023309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020828023309A), Aug 28, 2002: Piper PA28140, Big Creek, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed Big Creek with a tail wind. At lift-off the pilot aborted, running off the runway. 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.