# NTSB WPR12CA368: Piper PA-28-140, N8154N, McMinnville, OR, August 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 21, 2012, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: McMinnville, OR - Coordinates: 45.194442, -123.136108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1944&lon=-123.1361&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84791 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA368 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84791/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84791 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA368 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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-28-140, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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-28-140, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, he attempted to close a window vent and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. He aborted the takeoff and taxied back for takeoff; he examined the airplane before takeoff and did not see any damage. After landing, he secured the airplane in the club hangar. During a flying club meeting 4 days later, the pilot observed damage to the right wing; subsequent examination revealed substantial damage to the wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane before the runway excursion. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll he attempted to close a window vent and veered off the left side of the runway. He aborted the takeoff and taxied back for takeoff; he examined the airplane prior to takeoff and did not see any damage. After landing he secured the airplane in the club hangar. On August 25th during a flying club meeting the pilot observed damage to the lower section of the right wing and subsequent examination revealed substantial damage to the wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane prior to the runway excursion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8154N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8154N), registered now, S/N 28-25348, 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: 28-25348 - Airframe hours: 4952 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pacific Flyers Inc - Registered owner: Pacific Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2012, 12 hours before - Departed: UAO, Aurora, OR - Destination: MMV, McMinnville, OR - Airport: MMV, McMinnville Municipal Airport, runway 22, 5,420 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 5, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 145 total, 47 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: SLE, 18 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 20120821018179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120821018179A), Aug 21, 2012: Piper PA-28-140, Mcminnville, OR, Substantial damage. Pilot allowed the ariplane to drift left on takeoff, it then swerved left after applying backpressure to the yoke. Pilot ran off the runway, he stopped the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84791. 579 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 465 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector E-mail Damage Confirmation (item 2, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20E-mail%20Damage%20Confirmation-Redacted.PDF 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.