Piper PA 28-180 N15230

Summary

On 11 May 2014 at about 18:30 local time, a Piper PA 28-180 registered N15230, operated by Wild Wingdom LLC, was involved in an accident near Indian Trail, North Carolina, United States. 4 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 May 2014 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Indian Trail, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Goose Creek Airport (28A)

Coordinates

35.1211, -80.5872

Aircraft

Piper PA 28-180

Registration

N15230

Category

Airplane

Year built

1972

Engines

1

Operator

Wild Wingdom LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Indian Trail → Indian Trail

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA14CA233

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper flap retraction during a short field takeoff, which resulted in the aircraft experiencing an aerodynamic stall and impact with trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he intended to perform a short field takeoff due to trees at the end of the 2,350-foot-long runway. A pretakeoff engine run up revealed no anomalies, and the pilot initiated the takeoff with the wing flaps extended 10 degrees. "Immediately" after takeoff, the pilot raised the flaps, and felt as though the airplane's nose was "pushed down." The airplane contacted trees at the end of the runway and subsequently impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the engine firewall. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to the airplane owner's handbook, when operating from short runways, "[takeoff] distances can be reduced appreciably by lowering flaps to 25 degrees." The Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A further stated, "On short-field takeoffs, the landing gear and flaps should remain in takeoff position until clear of obstacles and [best rate of climb] has been established. It is usually advisable to raise the flaps in increments to avoid sudden loss of lift."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.