On May 5, 1982, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N900AA) operated by Appalachian Flying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Jonesboro, TN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot, after noting a windsock shift, initiated an uphill takeoff. Slower acceleration led to airborne crossing a rise; nose lowering for speed resulted in ground effect flight until striking a fence and yawing out of control.
Incident Overview
A pilot conducted a takeoff from a runway with an uphill gradient after observing that a limp windsock had shifted to indicate the use of the northeast runway. The previous takeoffs and landings had utilized the southwest runway. The aircraft experienced slower than normal acceleration during the takeoff roll.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft became airborne only after passing over a rise in the runway. In an attempt to increase airspeed, the pilot lowered the nose. The airplane then continued in ground effect, maintaining a low altitude above the runway surface. It subsequently struck a barbed wire fence, causing the aircraft to yaw out of control.