# NTSB WPR14CA401: Piper PA 22, N3460A, Roundup, MT, May 23, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 23, 2014, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Roundup, MT - Coordinates: 46.432498, -108.453613 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4325&lon=-108.4536&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 7, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA401 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90761/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90761 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA401 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed action to abort the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and a high density altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7102202), [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-22, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during takeoff from a 1,200-foot long turf airstrip, the airplane accelerated beyond a speed he anticipated for rotation and remained on the ground. Despite the pilot's attempt to abort the takeoff and stop the airplane, it overran the departure end of the runway and struck multiple trees before it came to rest upright. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that at the time of the accident, it was unseasonably warm and the degradation of the airplane's performance was significantly more than he had anticipated. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff from a 1,200-foot long turf airstrip, the airplane accelerated beyond a speed he anticipated for rotation and remained on the ground. Despite the pilot's attempt to abort the takeoff and stop the airplane, it overran the departure end of the runway and struck multiple trees before it came to rest upright. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that at the time of the accident, it was unseasonably warm and the degradation of the airplane's performance was significantly more than he had anticipated. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3460A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3460A-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N 22-1744, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 22 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-1744 - Year built: 1953 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Bake - Registered owner: White John M - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: None, Roundup, MT - Destination: None, Roundup, MT - Airport: None, Private Airstrip, runway 27, 1,200 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 5, 2012; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 448 total, 8 in this make and model, 436 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KBIL, 38 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 20140523024189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140523024189A), May 23, 2014: Piper PA-22, Roundup, MT, Substantial damage. Aircraft could not achieve flight, PIC aborted takeoff, aircraft impacted trees at end of runway. Aircraft was substatially damaging the aircraft, pilot and… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90761. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%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.