History of Flight
On July 25, 2020, about 0910 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N716RL, was destroyed when it impacted terrain and trees near Stinson Municipal Airport (SSF), San Antonio, Texas. The pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted as an instructional discovery flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot, a flight instructor operating a flight school at SSF, contacted the tower controller and indicated that weather information had been received. Departure was requested from runway 14 for one lap in the traffic pattern. The controller cleared the airplane for takeoff and reported the wind as 030° at 12 knots gusting to 20 knots.
Airport surveillance video showed the airplane rolling down runway 14 and lifting off as it neared the intersection with taxiway C, after an estimated takeoff roll of 1,700 ft. Upon liftoff, the airplane rolled slightly to the right. Multiple camera angles revealed the wings rocking several times, and the airplane failing to climb. It maintained a nose-high attitude while heading toward trees before disappearing from view. The airplane subsequently collided with trees and terrain, followed by a postimpact fire.
A witness, a police officer and private pilot, observed the airplane flying low after takeoff. He noted that the nose "kept popping up every 2 or 3 seconds but [the airplane] was still descending." The engine sounded normal to the witness. He saw the airplane descend behind the tree line, heard the crash, and notified police emergency dispatch.
Personnel Information
The pilot's logbook was not available during the investigation. On the most recent application for a medical certificate, dated January 9, 2019, the pilot reported 330 total flight hours, with 200 hours logged in the preceding 6 months. Total flight experience could not be determined.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was certified for normal or utility category operations. According to its FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet, the four-place PA-28-140 is limited to a maximum gross weight of 2,150 lbs when operating in the normal category.
A pilot who had flown N716RL reported filling the fuel tanks the day before and flying about 0.9 hours. He also noted a full box of oil cans in the back seat. The estimated takeoff weight was 2,222.5 lbs, which is 72.5 lbs over the maximum gross weight. It could not be determined if the pilot performed a weight and balance calculation before the flight.
Meteorological Information
Using the tower controller's wind report (030° at 12 knots gusting to 20 knots), the calculated tailwind component for takeoff on runway 14 was about 4 knots gusting to 7 knots. The temperature at SSF was 28°C, yielding a density altitude of about 2,300 ft.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest in a residential backyard approximately 2,400 ft southeast of the departure end of runway 14. The first identified point of impact was a damaged tree along the northern fence line. A portion of the right-wing fuel tank skin was found below the tree, and the fiberglass right wingtip was located between the fuel tank and the main wreckage. The main wreckage lay at the center of the backyard. Scorch marks extended to the southern edge of the yard, and charring was observed on a wood fence.
Examination of the wreckage revealed continuity of all flight controls except the aileron balance cable, which was fractured with broomstrawing. The flap handle was found in the first notch, corresponding to 10° flaps. Pitch trim was set to a partial nose-up position. Engine controls were at full throttle and full rich mixture, with carburetor heat off.
An engine examination found no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Information
According to the airplane's owner's handbook performance charts, at gross weight and a density altitude of 2,300 ft, the takeoff distance is about 1,125 ft and the climb rate is 550 ft per minute. The FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B, 2016) notes that if a pilot attempts to climb out of ground effect without attaining normal climb pitch attitude and airspeed, the airplane may enter the region of reversed command at low altitude, potentially preventing climb or altitude maintenance even at full power.