# NTSB WPR23LA282: Piper PA-28-140, N4149J, Elko, NV, July 20, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 20, 2023, 09:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Elko, NV - Coordinates: 40.824999, -115.79133 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8250&lon=-115.7913&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 192686 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192686/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192686 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA282 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate airplane performance before taking off from a significantly shorter runway than originally planned for. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the density altitude conditions were increasing but were within takeoff performance limits. During taxi to his planned departure runway, he was informed that the runway was closed, so he chose to depart from a different runway about 4,400 ft shorter than originally planned for. During takeoff the airplane did not have the performance necessary to attain rotation speed before the end of the runway, but the pilot did not abort the takeoff. He rotated the airplane 5-10 knots too slow and was unable to clear a fence off the departure end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would preclude normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4149J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4149J), registered now, S/N 28-22474, built 1966 (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: 28-22474 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 4697 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Elko Aviation Group, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2023, 48 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: KEKO, Elko Regional Airport, runway 30, 3,015 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 263 total, 142 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KEKO - METAR: KEKO 201656Z AUTO 04003KT 10SM CLR 26/12 A3027 RMK AO2 SLP195 T02560117 ## 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 20230720013109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230720013109A), Jul 20, 2023: Piper PA-28-140, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. Mishap aircraft took off on July 20, 2023, with 2 POB from eko in Elko, NV. The main runway 24 was closed due to painting being conducted by Elko city… ## Other investigations on N4149J (2) 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 LAX93LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA210), May 8, 1993: Piper PA-28-140 (N4149J), Reedley, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A failure of the pilot to maintain proper runway alignment and improper remedial action during the balked landing. A factor in the accident was a lack of total aeronautical experience. - [NTSB MKC67D0560](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67D0560), May 6, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N4149J), Jasper, MO, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192686. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15956805&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15949447&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.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.