Piper PA-28-140 accident near Custer, South Dakota, July 31, 2004
On July 31, 2004 at about 3:50 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N4345J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Custer, South Dakota (Custer County airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's poor preflight planning/preparation and the pilot used improper aborted takeoff procedures by not reducing the throttle. Factors associated with the accident were the high density altitude and the tailwind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 31, 2004 · about 3:50 pm local time
- Place
- Custer, South Dakota · Custer County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N4345J · registry record · serial 28-22721
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with rough terrain when it overran the end of the runway during an aborted takeoff. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) was demonstrating a "ground effect acceleration takeoff" when the accident occurred. The CFI stated the airplane did not accelerate in ground effect to his target speed of 90 miles per hours so he initiated an aborted takeoff about 1,500 feet prior to the end of the runway. The CFI stated that upon touchdown, the braking action was poor. He stated he reduced back pressure and applied brakes firmly, before applying back pressure again, but the airplane did not stop. The CFI stated the airplane departed the end of the runway at a speed of about 70 mph. The student pilot stated the CFI "... cut power immediately, and began to flare. When it was evident that the aircraft was not slowing at a sufficient rate, the instructor dropped the nose and both instructor and student applied full brakes." The airport manager who witnessed the accident reported the airplane was about 10 feet above the runway when it settled back to the runway. He stated the airplane was "... still under full power all the remaining way to the white marks at the end of runway eight." He stated the engine power was then reduced and the airplane skidded between the runway end lights. The manager stated, "From the point of impact to the point where the throttle was fully retarded, there was a continuous cloud of blue smoke." The airplane came to rest in the grass approximately 250 feet from the departure end of the runway. Black skid marks and metallic scrape marks were visible on the runway. These marks began about 300 feet prior to the departure end of the runway and continued to the end of the runway. Density altitude at the time of the takeoff was 8,110 feet. The takeoff was being made on runway 08 and the wind was from 250 degrees at 9 knots. The PA-28-140 Owner's Handbook provides a takeoff distance versus density altitude chart. The chart contains information for density altitudes up to 7,000 feet. The chart states "Extrapolation of chart above 7000 ft. is invalid." The landing distance versus density altitude chart indicates that at a density altitude of 7,000 feet, with 40 degrees of flaps, at gross weight with no wind, the landing distance would be 1,250 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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 2,450 as pilot in command; 2,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 29, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 5 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,553 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 2, 2004; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CUT Custer SD at 3:50 pm
- Destination: CUT Custer SD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 5,500 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from CUT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CHI04LA201.