# NTSB WPR09CA099: Piper PA-28-180, N5117L, Bisbee, AZ, January 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 24, 2009, 10:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Bisbee, AZ - Coordinates: 31.468889, -109.603614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4689&lon=-109.6036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73274 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73274/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA099 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and delay in remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the instructional flight, the student pilot initiated the takeoff roll normally. As the airplane accelerated, it began to weave back and forth until it suddenly yawed sharply to the left. The flight instructor applied back pressure to the control yoke and the airplane became airborne. As the student pilot relinquished control of the airplane, she removed her hand from the throttle and inadvertently reduced it to the idle position. The flight instructor immediately advanced the throttle to the full open position as the airplane started to descend. Subsequently, the right main landing gear struck the runway precision approach path indicator lights and impacted the ground, resulting in structural damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor and student pilot stated that there were no anomalies with the flight control system or the engine at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative During the instructional flight, the student pilot initiated the takeoff roll normally. As the airplane accelerated, it began to weave back and forth until it suddenly yawed sharply to the left. The flight instructor applied back pressure to the control yoke and the airplane became airborne. As the student pilot relinquished control of the airplane, she removed her hand from the throttle and inadvertently reduced it to the idle position. The flight instructor immediately advanced the throttle to the full open position as the airplane started to descend. Subsequently, the right main landing gear struck the runway precision approach path indicator lights and impacted the ground, resulting in structural damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor and student pilot stated that there were no anomalies with the flight control system or the engine at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5117L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5117L), registered now, S/N 28-4400, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-4400 - Airframe hours: 5447 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: EMERY JONATHAN and JODEAN WENDT - Registered owner: EMERY JONATHAN and JODEAN WENDT - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2008, 53 hours before - Departed: DUG, Bisbee, AZ - Destination: AVQ, Marana, AZ - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: DUG, Bisbee International Airport, runway 17, 7,311 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 55; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 10, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 9,565 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 9,500 as pilot in command - Student pilot; age 53; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 9 total, 9 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: DUG ## 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 20090124001309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090124001309A), Jan 24, 2009: Piper PA28180, Bisbee, AZ, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed on takeoff from Bisbee Municipal Airport. Aircraft sustained substantial damage. No injuries to three occupants. [privacy data omitted] 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.