On June 14, 1992, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N15424) operated by Cherokee Six Flying Club was involved in an aviation accident near Rector, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to attain climb airspeed after liftoff while remaining in ground effect, which resulted in an impact with a levee. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a soft field takeoff procedure, the pilot remained in ground effect with a nose-high attitude and failed to achieve climb speed, resulting in an impact with a nearby levee that sheared off the landing gear assembly.
What happened
The pilot was conducting a takeoff from an airstrip utilizing the soft field takeoff procedure. After the aircraft lifted off the ground, the pilot maintained a nose-high attitude and remained in ground effect. The airplane did not attain a safe climb airspeed during this phase. Consequently, the aircraft impacted a levee located at the departure end of the strip. The collision resulted in the shearing of the landing gear assembly.
The investigation
The physical evidence indicated that the aircraft failed to transition from ground effect to a positive rate of climb. The damage was consistent with an impact at low altitude and low airspeed, specifically affecting the lower fuselage and undercarriage components where the levee was struck.
Findings
failure to attain climb airspeed after liftoff
improper use of soft field takeoff procedure by not transitioning out of ground effect
impact with terrain (levee) at the departure end of the runway
structural damage to the landing gear assembly due to the collision
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to attain climb airspeed after liftoff while remaining in ground effect, which resulted in an impact with a levee.
What happened in the 14 Jun 1992 Piper PA-28-140 accident near Rector, AR?
During a soft field takeoff procedure, the pilot remained in ground effect with a nose-high attitude and failed to achieve climb speed, resulting in an impact with a nearby levee that sheared off the landing gear assembly.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 14 Jun 1992 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N15424, operated by Cherokee Six Flying Club, at Rector, AR.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to attain climb airspeed after liftoff while remaining in ground effect, which resulted in an impact with a levee.
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