Piper PA28 accident near Blacksburg, Virginia, July 14, 2009
On July 14, 2009 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Piper PA28, registered N7418W, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Blacksburg, Virginia (Virginia Tech/Montgomery Exec airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2009 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Blacksburg, Virginia · Virginia Tech/Montgomery Exec · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 180 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N7418W · no longer on the register · serial 28-1306
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff roll, at about rotation speed, the pilot reported that the nose wheel of the airplane began to "shimmy back and forth," and that the nose wheel "darted strongly to the left." The pilot attempted to regain control using "back pressure on the yoke and control with rudder." The airplane ran off the runway impacting a hill located past the parallel taxiway. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the fuselage, stabilator, and left wing. Personnel at the fixed base operator where the pilot purchased fuel prior to the accident reported that the airplane exhibited a nose-high attitude as it taxied in for fueling. At the time of the accident, the airplane was carrying 48 gallons of fuel, 2 passengers, and baggage. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if the front strut had "not been fully extended", and if she had reduced engine power while trying to regain control of the airplane. Post-accident inspection by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no evidence of mechanical malfunction. Reported winds at the time of the accident were from 340 degrees at 4 knots.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 170 hours in all; 85 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 120 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 30, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,159 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, December 17, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,399 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BCB Blacksburg VA at 4:00 pm
- Destination: MDT Harrisburg PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 4,539 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 4:00 pm from BCB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.