# NTSB ATL84LA085: Piper PA-34-220T, N8461H, Beckley, WV, January 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1984, 09:58 local (14:58 UTC)
- Place: Beckley, WV
- Coordinates: 37.780693, -81.180557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7807&lon=-81.1806&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): 6408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6408/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA085

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE ACFT TRAVELED ABOUT 2400 FT BEFORE STARTING A DRIFT TO THE LEFT. IT COVERED ANOTHER 425 FT PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH A SNOW BANK SHEARING OFF THE NOSE GEAR & COLLAPSING BOTH MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE RWY WAS COVERED WITH ABOUT 4 INCHES OF WET SNOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8461H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8461H), registered now, S/N 34-8233024, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSOP-360-KB1A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Woodland & Properties, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1983, 6 hours before
- Destination: JHW, JAMESTOWN, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BRW, Raleigh County, runway 10, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 752 total, 257 in this make and model, 605 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKW

## 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 19840118000879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840118000879A), Jan 18, 1984: Piper PA34220T, Beckley, WV, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff on snow covered runway. Snow was too deep and aircraft ran off runway into snowbank.

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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