Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-140 near Maryville, TN — 2012-09-22

Final reportERA12CA585
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Date
2012-09-22
Location
Maryville, TN, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-140
Registration
N56796
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to plan and execute a takeoff that assured obstacle clearance at the departure end of the runway, which resulted in a collision with trees.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/owner stated that during the takeoff from his private airstrip, the airplane was unable to gain sufficient altitude to clear the trees at the end of the grass runway. The left wing and landing gear struck the top of a tree; the airplane impacted the ground nose first and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the wings, engine, firewall, and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, he stated that he did not complete performance planning calculations prior to takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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