Piper PA28 accident near Somerset, Kentucky, April 8, 2023
On April 8, 2023 at about 12:55 pm local time, a 1970 Piper PA28, registered N2448R, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Somerset, Kentucky (Lake Cumberland Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was 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 control of the airplane during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with an airport navigation antenna.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 8, 2023 · about 12:55 pm local time
- Place
- Somerset, Kentucky · Lake Cumberland Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 180, built 1970 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N2448R · registry record · serial 28-5624
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The solo student pilot was taking off in gusting wind and described that shortly after rotation, he saw the stall warning light illuminate. He reported that although the engine was developing full power and he leveled off to regain airspeed, the airplane settled back onto the runway and “pulled left.” Despite the pilot’s attempt to keep the airplane on the runway, it departed the runway, impacted an instrument landing system antenna, crossed a taxiway, and then came to rest. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 68 hours in all; 23 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 12 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 8, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,616 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 31, 2023; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O360-A4A (piston); 1,583 hours total
The flight
- Destination: LEX Lexington KY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 5, 5,801 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 am from SME
Weather report (METAR): KSME 081255Z AUTO 07008KT 10SM OVC042 09/M02 A3029 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on June 29, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum of Record - FAA Inspector Discussion | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.