Springervillemunicipal Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Eagar, Arizona 85925
Friday, June 11, 2010 13:54 MST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

A witness at the airport observed the accident airplane depart runway 11. During the departure sequence, the witness observed the airplane use more runway than most of the other small aircraft and that the airplane seemed to have trouble gaining altitude. The witness stated that the airplane gained and lost altitude about three or four times before banking to the left and impacting a building. Numerous witnesses located near the accident site observed the accident airplane flying at a low altitude before impacting a building, and that the engine appeared to be running strong. The wreckage was located within a building structure and was heavily damaged by fire. Examination of the accident site and aircraft wreckage revealed signatures consistent with a near-level, left-wing-low impact with a tree and a light pole prior to impacting the building. Examination of the airplane, flight control systems, engine, and propeller revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The investigation determined that, at the time of the accident, the airplane was within weight and balance limitations. Weather at the departure airport equated to a crosswind component for runway 11 varying from 25 to 32 knots, with a tailwind component from 4 to 5 knots, based on the sustained wind and gust values respectively. About 1 minute after the time of the accident, the reported wind equated to crosswind component of 21 to 27 knots, and a headwind of 12 to 16 knots. The airport density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 9,700 feet. Review of airplane manufacturer’s takeoff performance charts revealed that, at the time of the accident, the weather and environment conditions exceeded the takeoff performance chart limitations.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's operation of the aircraft outside of the manufacturer’s specified performance limitations, which resulted in the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from buildings and terrain during takeoff initial climb.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 6/11/2010
Event Day of the Week Friday
Time of Event 1354
Event Time Zone Mountain Standard Time
Event City Eagar
Event State ARIZONA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 85925
Event Date Year 2010
Event Date Month 6
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 340727N
Event Location Longitude 1091729W
Event Location Airport SpringervilleMunicipal Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID D68
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport On Airport
Distance from airport in statute miles 1
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 7055
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1355 Mountain Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 104
Weather Observation Facility ID D68
Elevation of weather observation facility 7055
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 1
Time Zone of the weather observation MST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 8500
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Few
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 25
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -2
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 170
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 24
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 31
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.99
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Fatal
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal 4
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 4
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 28146
NTSB Notification Source FAA Operations Center
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Mar 28 2011 1:49PM
User who most recently changed record stam
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N7699F
NTSB Number WPR10FA287
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name PIPER
Aircraft Model PA-32R-300
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 32R-7780081
Certified Max Gross Weight 3600
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats 2
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats 2
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Nov 10 2009 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 4389
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type Unknown
Aircraft Owner Name JEFFREY J ULRICH
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City WESLEY CHAPEL
Aircraft Owner State FL
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 33544-7770
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name JEFFREY J ULRICH
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City WESLEY CHAPEL
Operator State FL
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 33544-7770
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code D68
Departure City Eagar
Departure State AZ
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1354
Departure Time Zone MST
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code GCN
Destination City Grand Canyon
Destination State AZ
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Mar 28 2011 1:49PM
User who most recently changed record stam
Since inspection or accident Last Inspection
Event Location Runway Number and Location 11
Runway Length 4589
Runway Width 60
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --