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WPR23LA282

2023-07-20 · Elko, Nevada, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport KEKO

Current FAA registration · N4149J

Make / Model
PIPER PA-28-140
Year of manufacture
1966 · 57 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19661227
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A4E698

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to ensure adequate airplane performance before taking off from a significantly shorter runway than originally planned for.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the density altitude conditions were increasing but were within takeoff performance limits. During taxi to his planned departure runway, he was informed that the runway was closed, so he chose to depart from a different runway about 4,400 ft shorter than originally planned for. During takeoff the airplane did not have the performance necessary to attain rotation speed before the end of the runway, but the pilot did not abort the takeoff. He rotated the airplane 5-10 knots too slow and was unable to clear a fence off the departure end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would preclude normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Planning/preparation-Performance calculations-Pilot
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Takeoff distance-Capability exceeded
  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Pilot
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-High density altitude-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_WPR23LA282.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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