Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-140 near Paris, KY — 2023-01-05

Final reportERA23LA105
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Date
2023-01-05
Location
Paris, KY, USA
Airport
31KY
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-140
Registration
N6111W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of control after encountering changing wind conditions during the initial climb, which resulted in descent and collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot and two passengers were departing from a 2,800-ft-long turf runway and reported that prior to initiating the takeoff the wind was light and variable. During the initial climb after takeoff, and once the airplane had cleared a ridge and trees that ran parallel to the runway, the pilot reported that there was a “sudden windshear that caused a reduction in lift.” The pilot reduced the airplane’s pitch attitude in an attempt to regain lift, but the airplane continued to descend. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation at an airport 9 miles away noted wind at 10 knots, with no gusts or other convective activity described.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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