# NTSB WPR14CA397: Piper PA 24-250, N8129P, Rancho Murieta, CA, September 28, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 28, 2014, 10:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Rancho Murieta, CA - Coordinates: 38.486667, -121.102775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4867&lon=-121.1028&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90184 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA397 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90184/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90184 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA397 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff and the certified flight instructors delayed remedial action, which resulted in the stall. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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-24-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who held a private pilot certificate, stated that the purpose of the flight was for him to acquire hours in the airplane with a certified flight instructor (CFI) for insurance purposes. They departed from the airplane's base to a nearby airport to practice landings. After completing about two landings, the pilot configured the airplane for a short field takeoff. During the takeoff roll, he waited for the airplane to reach rotation speed and shortly thereafter they were airborne. The airplane immediately began to veer to the left and subsequently stalled. The airplane came to rest about 50 yards off the runway surface. As a result of the impact, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The pilot stated that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot, who held a private pilot certificate, stated that the purpose of the flight was for him to acquire hours in the airplane with a certified flight instructor (CFI) for insurance purposes. They departed from the airplane's base to a nearby airport to practice landings. After completing about two landings, the pilot configured the airplane for a short field takeoff. During the takeoff roll, he waited for the airplane to reach rotation speed and shortly thereafter they were airborne. The airplane immediately began to veer to the left and subsequently stalled. The airplane came to rest about 50 yards off the runway surface. As a result of the impact, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The pilot stated that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8129P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8129P-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 24-3382, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 24-250 (250) - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-3382 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 2438 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2014 - Departed: KPVF, Placerville, CA - Destination: RIU, Rancho Murieta, CA - Airport: RIU, Rancho Murieta, runway 22, 3,798 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 277 total, 3 in this make and model, 202 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 69; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,874 total, 21 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 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 20140928021209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140928021209A), Sep 28, 2014: Piper PA-24-250, Rancho Murieta, CA, Substantial damage. Instructional flight, reportedly lost directional control of the aircraft during a soft field takeoff. ## Other investigations on N8129P (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW96LA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA253), Jun 17, 1996: Piper PA-24-250 (N8129P), Leander, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot sufficiently slow the airplane, while landing on a grass runway. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90184. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420348&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.