Piper PA-28-140 accident near Warrensburg, Missouri, July 18, 2000
On July 18, 2000 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N4435J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Warrensburg, Missouri (Short Air airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
inadequate airspeed on takeoff that resulted in a stall/mush condition. Factors associated with the accident were the wet, grass runway, and the trees near the departure end of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 18, 2000 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Warrensburg, Missouri · Short Air · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N4435J · no longer on the register · serial 28-22839
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after lifting off 2/3 to 5/8 the way down the 2,600-foot long grass, wet runway, the airspeed did not seem to increase and the airplane was not climbing like normal. He stated he lowered the nose and entered a shallow left turn toward an open area to avoid trees in front of him. The pilot reported that upon completing the turn, he leveled the wings and brought the yoke to a "normal to slightly aft" position. He reported, "at that point we lost all lift and impacted left wing low and on the nose wheel-which collapsed." The pilot reported the engine sounded fine and there were no mechanical failures/malfunctions with the airplane. According to a PA-28-140 Owner's Handbook the useful load for the airplane is 949 pounds. The pilot reported a combined weight of 580 pounds for himself and his passengers. He also reported he had 32 gallons of fuel onboard. Density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 2222 feet. According to a PA-28-140 Owner's Handbook, on a standard day, using a paved runway, at gross weight, the takeoff distance to clear a 50 foot obstacle is approximately 2200 feet.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 458 hours in all; 250 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1MU4 at 5:15 pm
- Destination: LXT Lees Summit MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 2,600 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft; scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 172°F (78°C), dew point 158°F (70°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from SZL, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.