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PA-28 pilot reports being unable to climb after taking off at maximum weight and a density altitude of 8;400 feet. With trees ahead the decision is made to land on an available highway; which is accomplished without damage or injury.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1180984 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201406 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
| Flight Plan | VFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 55 Flight Crew Total 135 Flight Crew Type 95 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Deviation - Procedural Weight And Balance Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence |
Narrative:
Flight was made earlier that day to ZZZ with high density altitude (8;500 feet) and similar weight. A stop was made at ZZZ for refueling; with the intent to continue on that evening to either [a nearby metropolitan] area or further west. A difference of eleven gallons of fuel (66 lbs) between the level of the tabs and full tanks drastically altered the performance of the aircraft. Even departing with a lower density altitude (8;400 feet); the aircraft refused to climb. With trees nearby; the decision to make an off-airport landing on a nearby highway was made. There was no damage done to the aircraft or any property; and there were no injuries to anyone. The local law enforcement escorted the plane back to the airport where a departure was made the next morning in favorable conditions. These events are always a chain of decisions; and a no-go decision made at any point would have prevented the situation. My decision making was influenced by the successful flight made earlier that day in similar conditions; combined with 'get there-itis'. This was definitely a lesson learned; and a mistake that I will never repeat again.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: PA-28 pilot reports being unable to climb after taking off at maximum weight and a density altitude of 8;400 feet. With trees ahead the decision is made to land on an available highway; which is accomplished without damage or injury.
Narrative: Flight was made earlier that day to ZZZ with high density altitude (8;500 feet) and similar weight. A stop was made at ZZZ for refueling; with the intent to continue on that evening to either [a nearby metropolitan] area or further west. A difference of eleven gallons of fuel (66 lbs) between the level of the tabs and full tanks drastically altered the performance of the aircraft. Even departing with a lower density altitude (8;400 feet); the aircraft refused to climb. With trees nearby; the decision to make an off-airport landing on a nearby highway was made. There was no damage done to the aircraft or any property; and there were no injuries to anyone. The local law enforcement escorted the plane back to the airport where a departure was made the next morning in favorable conditions. These events are always a chain of decisions; and a no-go decision made at any point would have prevented the situation. My decision making was influenced by the successful flight made earlier that day in similar conditions; combined with 'get there-itis'. This was definitely a lesson learned; and a mistake that I will never repeat again.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.