Pilot Debrief

Piper PA32R near South Beloit, IL — 2018-08-12

Final reportCEN18LA328
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Date
2018-08-12
Location
South Beloit, IL, USA
Airport
44C
Aircraft
Piper PA32R
Registration
N9894K
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed after being startled and distracted when the engine cowling opened during takeoff, which led to a subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot indicated that soon after takeoff for the personal flight, the airplane's engine cowling opened and began to swing back and forth. Concerned the cowling might fracture the windshield, he reduced engine power to land straight ahead, but, after realizing that the runway remaining was insufficient to do so, he attempted to climb and return to the runway. During his attempted go-around, the airplane began to descend and then impacted a cornfield off the end of the runway. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal flight operations. The pilot stated that he was very startled by the opening of the cowling, which distracted him from maintaining airspeed.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have executed a go-around or aborted takeoff upon cowling opening.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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