Flagstaff, AZ, USA
N4764T
Piper PA 28-140
The 33-hour student pilot was performing a short field takeoff. He selected two notches of flaps and while holding the brakes, applied full power. The airplane accelerated to 65 knots and lifted from the runway. The airspeed then decreased so the pilot pushed the nose over and retracted the flaps. He continued to descend and the airspeed would not increase. The pilot force landed the airplane off the end of the runway and it impacted trees. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector, there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine. Winds at the time of the accident were from 240 degrees at 10 knots, with 16-knot wind gusts.
The 33-hour student pilot intended to practice short field takeoffs and landings. This was his first time practicing short field takeoffs and landings as the sole occupant of the airplane. The last time he performed a short field takeoff was with his certified flight instructor about 2 months prior to the accident. His preflight and run up checks were all within limits. He selected two notches of flaps and while holding the brakes, applied full power. The airplane accelerated to 65 knots and the airplane lifted from the runway quickly. As the airplane climbed to 100 feet the pilot noted a decrease in airspeed so he pushed the nose over. He retracted a notch of flaps and descended to 20 feet above the runway. The student pilot then force landed the airplane off the end of the runway and it impacted trees. Post accident examination of the wreckage by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe. The flaps were fully retracted at the accident site. The winds recorded at the airport approximately 3 minutes prior to the accident were from 240 degrees at 10 knots, with 16-knot wind gusts.
The pilot's failure to attain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a forced landing off the end of the runway. A contributing factor to the accident was the gusting wind.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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