ATL95LA140

Factual narrative

On July 19, 1995, about 1420 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N6303A, collided with an embankment during takeoff from the Macon County Airport, Franklin, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was executing a short field takeoff. After lift off, the airplane settled, losing airspeed and altitude, and began drifting to the left. He stated that the airplane contacted the ground with the left wing and tail, simultaneously. The pilot opined that "the cause was a combination of air temperature and lifting off too soon with inadequate airspeed." THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PERFORMING A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF, AND USED 'ONE NOTCH' OF FLAPS. AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRPLANE SETTLED, LOSING AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE, AND BEGAN DRIFTING LEFT. IT CONTACTED THE GROUND ON THE LEFT WING AND TAIL SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN HIS REPORT, THE PILOT SAID HE LIFTED OFF EARLY, WITH INADEQUATE AIRSPEED. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12