# NTSB ATL83LA151: Piper PA-28-140, N98362, Williamsburg, VA, April 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1983, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Williamsburg, VA
- Coordinates: 37.269191, -76.699546 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2692&lon=-76.6995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA151

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - pitot/static system - not removed (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE RUNWAY AFTER AN ABORTED TAKEOFF. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY AFTER FAILING TO OBTAIN AN AIRSPEED INDICATION SUFFICIENT FOR TAKEOFF. AFTER CUTTING THE POWER AND LOWERING THE NOSE WHEEL THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY SAW THAT THE PITOT COVER WAS STILL ON THE PITOT TUBE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98362](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98362-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 28-26186, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26186
- Airframe hours: 4928
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph E. Williams, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1982, 20 hours before
- Destination: W97, WEST POINT, VA
- Airport: W70, Williamsburg, runway 31, 3,215 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 33 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830404011159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830404011159A), Apr 4, 1983: Piper PA28140, Williamsburg, VA, Substantial damage. Lost control on aborting takeoff due to low airspeed reading. Ran into a ditch. Cover was still on the pitch probe.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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