Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-30 near St. Petersburg, FL — 2011-08-03

Final reportERA11LA438
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Date
2011-08-03
Location
St. Petersburg, FL, USA
Airport
SPG
Aircraft
PIPER PA-30
Registration
N8314Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's improper rotation during takeoff, resulting in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground.

NTSB narrative

During the takeoff roll, with the flaps extended, the pilot over-rotated the airplane when it reached an airspeed of 85 mph. He retracted the landing gear, the airspeed decreased to 69 mph, and the airplane stalled. The left wing dropped, the pilot lowered the nose of the airplane, and it collided with the ground resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. Visual examination of the airplane verified the pilot's statement. The flight manual for the airplane indicated the airplane will stall at 69 mph with the landing gear and flaps extended.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained control by not retracting the landing gear too early.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 11 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents11

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