POTTSBORO, TX, USA
N9687W
PIPER PA-28-140
FOLLOWING A SOCIAL EVENT ATTENDED BY MANY OF THE PILOT'S FRIENDS, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DEPART FROM A 1,500-FT AIRSTRIP ADJACENT TO THE MEETING AREA (1,100 FT AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOFF AND LANDING). THE PILOT USED 10 DEG OF FLAPS INSTEAD OF THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED 25 DEG. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPLANE OPERATOR'S MANUAL, 1,700 FT WAS REQUIRED TO CLEAR A 50-FT OBSTACLE AT SEA LEVEL. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2,000 FT. THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE 1,397 FT FROM HIS POINT OF BRAKE RELEASE TO AVOID IMPACTING TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING WAS SHEARED OFF AFTER IMPACTING A TREE. THE PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE PILOT WAS 'SHOWING OFF' HIS PILOT SKILLS FOR HIS FRIENDS BY LANDING IN SUCH A SMALL STRIP.
On May 21, 1994, at 2015 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N9687W, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Pottsboro, Texas. The private pilot was not injured, while his two passengers sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot reported manually positioning the airplane against the Grandpappy Point airstrip perimeter fence to take advantage of all the available runway for the takeoff roll. He added that during the takeoff ground run, the airplane did not attain sufficient airspeed to lift off, so he aborted the takeoff, and elected to intentionally veer to the left to avoid colliding with the trees at the departure end of the strip. He further reported that the right wing was sheared off after impacting a tree, and the airplane came to rest on its side. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the 1,500 foot sod airstrip had only 1,100 feet available for landing and takeoff. He stated that the pilot used one notch of flaps (10 degrees) instead of the two notches (25 degrees) recommended by the airplane manufacturer for a short field takeoff. According to the aircraft operator's manual, 1,700 feet was required to clear a 50 foot obstacle at sea level. Density altitude was estimated at 2,000 feet. The FAA inspector further stated that evidence was found at the airstrip showing that the pilot elected to abort the takeoff at a point 1,397 feet from the point the brakes were released during the takeoff roll. Both passengers submitted detailed statements. They both stated that the purpose of the flight was to attend a social event/barbecue held at a gazebo adjacent to the landing strip. The event was attended by many of the pilot's friends, and the passengers stated that the pilot was "showing off" his pilot skills by landing in such a small strip.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO DETERMINE, PRIOR TO LANDING AT THE AIRPORT, THAT THE RUNWAY LENGTH WOULD BE INADEQUATE FOR A SAFE TAKEOFF, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SHORT-FIELD TAKEOFF PROCEDURES. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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