Piper PA-28-140 N5781F

Summary

On 28 August 2002 at about 22:50 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N5781F was involved in an accident near Big Creek, Idaho, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 August 2002 at 22:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Big Creek, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Big Creek (U60)

Coordinates

45.1167, -115.3217

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N5781F

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Big Creek → McCall

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA02LA167

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff. Factors include high density altitude, variable winds, and a ditch near the point where the aircraft departed the side of the runway.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a high density altitude takeoff, just as the aircraft's main gear were lifting off the runway, the aircraft dropped firmly back onto the runway surface. At that point, the pilot looked at the windsock at the far end of the runway and saw that it indicated a tailwind. He therefore elected to abort the takeoff, but failed to maintain adequate directional control of the aircraft during its deceleration. The aircraft therefore departed the left side of the runway, whereupon the nose gear and right main gear entered a nearby drainage ditch, which allowed the right wing to impact the terrain and sustain substantial damage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.