Seminole, OK, USA
N6228A
Piper PA-38-112
The 6,500-hour pilot executed a short field takeoff at the 500 foot mark of the 3,300-foot long by 20-foot wide, unimproved, gravel road. After a normal run-up and takeoff roll, the airplane rotated, "settled" back onto the road, and impacted a stationary tractor with the left wing. The airplane "spun" around 90-degrees, and slid to the right until it collided with two parked bulldozers. There were muddy soft spots on the left side of the road, and a steel fence post on the left side of the road showed impact marks from what appeared to be the left wing of the airplane. The owner of the private road stated that he had advised the pilot prior to takeoff that he would be improving the road in the near future. The road had not been utilized for some time by airplanes, and about 90% of the surface was loose gravel.
On April 25, 2004, approximately 1350 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112 single-engine airplane, N6228A, registered to and operated by a private individual, was destroyed after it collided with stationary utility vehicles while attempting to take off from a private gravel road near Seminole, Oklahoma. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was destined for Wiley Post Airport (PWA), near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 6,500-hour pilot stated that he taxied to the north end of the 3,300-foot long by 20-foot wide unimproved gravel road. After completing a preflight inspection and run up, he started a "normal" takeoff roll. Just after rotation, the airplane "settled" back onto the road, and impacted a stationary tractor with the left wing. The airplane "spun" around 90-degrees, slid to the right, and collided with two parked bulldozers. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that he observed evidence that the airplane started its takeoff roll about 500 feet down the road. The inspector reported that there were muddy soft spots on the left side of the road, and that a steel fence post on the left side of the road showed impact marks from what appeared to be the left wing of the airplane. Further examination of the wreckage revealed that both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage were structurally damaged, twisted, and buckled. The owner of the private road stated that he had advised the pilot prior to takeoff that he would be improving the road in the near future. The road had not been utilized for some time by airplanes, and about 90% of the surface was loose gravel.
The pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning. A contributing factor was the pilot's use of unsuitable terrain for takeoff.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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