Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-180 near Ocilla, GA — 2011-05-07

Final reportERA11LA289
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Date
2011-05-07
Location
Ocilla, GA, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-180
Registration
N7317W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot turned the airplane to the right immediately after liftoff from the dirt strip to avoid a tree in its flight path. According to the pilot, the engine stopped producing power, the stall warning activated, and the airplane remained in a right bank until ground contact. The airplane came to rest upright in a cultivated field less than 1/2 mile from the departure strip. Photographs taken by first responders revealed significant tip-curling, leading edge gouging, and chord-wise scratching of both propeller blades, which was consistent with engine power at the time of impact. There was no visible evidence of an in-flight or post-crash fire. The airplane was recovered from the field, and a detailed examination of the airframe and powerplant revealed no evidence of pre-impact anomalies.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before takeoff to ensure adequate fuel.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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