ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 240173
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| Date: | Friday 14 August 2020 |
| Time: | 11:35 LT |
| Type: |  Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee |
| Owner/operator: | Trail Of 140 Tears LLC |
| Registration: | N317LB |
| MSN: | 28-26935 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1970 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6788 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Wheatland County Airport at Harlowton (HWQ/KHWQ), (Harlowton, MT -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Take off |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Harlowton, MT (HWQ) |
| White Sulfur Sp, MT (7S6) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot conducted a short-field takeoff in high density altitude conditions, with the airplane close to, or slightly above its maximum gross weight. During the initial climb, the airplane accelerated to best rate-of-climb speed, but it descended back to the ground, collided with a fence, and nosed over.
In the days leading up to the flight, the pilot had expressed concern that the engine was not producing maximum power, so he had it examined by an airframe and powerplant mechanic. The mechanic stated that both the engine and tachometer were operating appropriately.
The pilot told investigators that it was his habit to take his hand off the throttle during takeoffs and place both hands on the yoke. Postaccident examination revealed that the, throttle was found slightly aft of the full-forward position, the carburetor heat control was partially backed out, and the flaps were extended. It is likely the throttle backed out during takeoff and engine performance was further reduced by the carburetor heat control being partially backed out. Additionally, the airplane procedures for a short field-takeoff called for the slow retraction of the flaps after takeoff.
The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a loss of climb performance occurring after a heavyweight, high density altitude takeoff due the pilot's failure to properly set and monitor the engine controls and retract the flaps as required.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to follow the appropriate takeoff procedures, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB WPR20LA278
FAA register: https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N317LB
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 18-Aug-2020 03:53 | Geno | Added |
| 18-Aug-2020 14:36 | Geno | Updated [Source] |
| 16-Sep-2020 08:30 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Accident report] |
| 16-Sep-2020 08:32 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 16-Sep-2020 08:38 | harro | Updated [Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 27-Jun-2022 11:54 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
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