Accident Details
On September 2, 2023, about 0806 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, registration N6834W, was substantially damaged during an accident near Prescott, Arizona. The aircraft was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot (pilot-in-command) and a student pilot, who owned the airplane, along with two passengers, were on board. No injuries were reported.
The flight originated earlier that morning from Falcon Field Airport (FFZ) in Mesa, Arizona, to Prescott Regional/Ernest A Love Field Airport (PRC). The private pilot flew the approach leg, then the student pilot took control for landing. After a brief stop, during which the airplane was partially refueled to the tabs, the student pilot prepared for departure. The private pilot calculated the ramp weight at about 2,112 lbs, within limits.
The student pilot performed the run-up checklist, set flaps to 25°, and planned rotation at 55 knots and climb at 64 knots. After a short delay requested from air traffic control, the student pilot initiated a short-field takeoff on runway 21L. The airplane became airborne about 3,000 feet down the runway. At approximately 200 feet above ground level, the climb ceased, and the stall warning light illuminated. The student pilot attempted to level the nose to gain airspeed, but the airplane could not maintain altitude or airspeed. The private pilot then took the controls to maximize glide distance while the student pilot notified ATC of the emergency.
The private pilot noted limited forward visibility due to the nose-high attitude. The student pilot spotted a road to the right and took control to descend toward it. During the descent, a loss of power was accompanied by noise and vibration. The left wingtip struck a tree, and a tree branch contacted the left wing. The airplane then spun approximately 270° before coming to rest upright next to the road. All occupants exited safely. First responders arrived within minutes.
Damage photographs showed the airplane resting on its nose with the nose landing gear displaced upward and leftward. The fuselage was buckled at the firewall and empennage. The left wing exhibited leading edge crush damage near the tip. Flaps were extended. One propeller blade had chordwise scratching and paint loss; the other was bent aft and in contact with the road.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed fuel system continuity. The fuel selector valve operated normally. Throttle and mixture control cables moved freely. An external fuel source was connected, and the engine started successfully. It ran smoothly for about five minutes at various power settings, up to a static rpm of about 2,700 at full throttle. Magnetos showed a 75 rpm drop. The engine was shut down using the mixture control, exhibiting no anomalies.
Airplane Performance Information
The Pilot's Operating Handbook specified a maximum gross weight of 2,150 lbs. Based on calculated density altitude of 6,357 ft, takeoff ground run at max gross weight was about 1,700 ft, with 3,500 ft to clear a 50 ft obstacle. Rate of climb was about 400 ft per minute. The handbook noted that premature nose raising or excessive angle could delay takeoff, and recommended lowering the nose to accelerate to climb speed after takeoff. Short-field procedures specified 25° flaps, rotation at 55-60 mph, and climb at 74 mph (best angle) or 85 mph (best rate).
Meteorological Information
At 0753, weather at PRC reported temperature 19°C, dew point 16°C, and altimeter 30.27 inHg. Density altitude was calculated as 6,375 ft. Relative humidity was 83%. The carburetor icing probability chart indicated conditions conducive to serious icing at glide power.