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Accidents · NTSB GAA16CA390 · Final report

Piper PA46 accident near Claremore, Oklahoma, July 22, 2016

On July 22, 2016 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 1987 Piper PA46, registered N9111P, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Claremore, Oklahoma (Claremore Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 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 takeoff after multiple climb attempts at insufficient airspeed, which resulted in a runway excursion, a landing gear collapse, and a collision with a ditch.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
July 22, 2016 · about 4:45 pm local time
Place
Claremore, Oklahoma · Claremore Rgnl · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Piper PA46 310P, built 1987 · all PA46s on the register
Registration
N9111P · registry record · serial 4608084
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 he was performing the takeoff on a taxiway, due to a notice to airmen (NOTAM) in effect which closed the sole runway at the airport and allowed takeoff's and landing's from the parallel taxiway. During the takeoff roll, the pilot reported that the airplane hit a "dip" in the pavement and became airborne unintentionally. The pilot further reported that he heard the stall warning horn and pitched forward, but the airplane drifted off to the left into a ditch and the nose and main landing gear collapsed. The left and right wings were substantially damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport manager provided video surveillance of the takeoff. The video showed that about 2,050 feet into the takeoff roll, the airplane pitched up, the nose and left main landing gear became airborne, but the airplane did not climb. Subsequently, the airplane touched back down and attempted to become airborne a second time about 300 feet further into the takeoff roll. The airplane's nose and main landing gear monetarily became airborne, but the airplane quickly touched back down and moved out of camera view.  The pilot reported that the takeoff weight was about 1 pound under the maximum allowable takeoff weight and he was attempting to perform a short field takeoff technique. The density altitude about the time of departure was 3,168 feet, the pressure altitude was 579 feet, and the temperature was 93 Fahrenheit (34 Celsius). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides guidance on how density altitude affects aircraft performance. According to the FAA Koch Chart, the airplane would have likely experienced a 35% increase to the normal takeoff distance and a 25% decrease in a normal climb rate. The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook in part states: "Due to the reduced drag in ground effect, the airplane may seem to be able to take off below the recommended airspeed. However, as the airplane rises out of ground effect with an insufficient airspeed, initial climb performance may prove to be marginal because of the increased drag. Under conditions of high-density altitude, high temperature, and/or maximum gross weight, the airplane may be able to become airborne at an insufficient airspeed, but unable to climb out of ground effect. Consequently, the airplane may not be able to clear obstructions, or may settle back on the runway." It is likely that the pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during the two initial climbs and the airplane did not exit ground effect due to insufficient airspeed at rotation.

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

  1. Other weather encounter during takeoff
  2. Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff
  3. Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
  4. Runway excursion during takeoff
  5. Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff
  6. Landing gear collapse during takeoff

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
  • cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
  • Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
  • Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
  • Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High temperature › Effect on operation
  • Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
  • Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Contributed to outcome

Pilot

  • Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, private
  • Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
  • Flight time: 5,283.7 hours in all; 33.5 in this make and model; 43 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 5,060 as pilot in command; 154.1 on instruments
  • Last flight review: July 31, 2015
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (waiver time limited special)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

Passenger

  • Seat: rgt
  • Injury: no injuries

Passenger

  • Seat: rgt
  • Injury: no injuries

Passenger

  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 3,011.2 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, May 12, 2016
  • Maximum gross weight: 4,100 lb
  • Seats: 6
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine: Continental TSIO-520-BE (piston); 1,000 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: GCM Claremore OK at 4:45 pm
  • Destination: ICT Wichita KS
  • Flight plan: IFR
  • Runway NA, 5,000 ft by 35 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 200° at 8 knots, gusting 14
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
  • Observation at 4:55 pm from KGCM

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers3

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.