# NTSB ATL83LA156: Piper PA-22-150, N3918P, Liberty, NC, April 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1983, 19:25 local (Apr 9, 1983, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Liberty, NC
- Coordinates: 35.850772, -79.569458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8508&lon=-79.5695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA156

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
- Nose over, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE 4 OCCUPANTS RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF A 10 MINUTE NIGHT FLIGHT IN DARK OVERCAST CONDITIONS. THE PILOT LOWERED THE ACFT NOSE AFTER TAKEOFF TO INCREASE THE 75 KT. AIRSPEED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ACFT WAS CLIPPING TREES ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND CONTACTED THE GROUND AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3918P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3918P-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 22-3588, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3588
- Airframe hours: 2707
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph P. Kramer,III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1982, 0 hours before
- Destination: NC01, GREENSBORO, NC
- Airport: 2A5, Causey, runway 20, 2,500 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,524 total, 2,333 in this make and model, 2,359 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830408012029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830408012029A), Apr 8, 1983: Piper PA22150, Liberty, NC, Destroyed. Failed to maintain runway alignment on dark night takeoff. Struck trees that bordered the runway.

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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