# NTSB ATL84LA130: Piper J-5A, N33423, Forest, VA, March 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1984, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Forest, VA
- Coordinates: 37.369491, -79.269119 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3695&lon=-79.2691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA130

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,elevator - movement restricted (cause)
  - removal of control/gust lock(s) - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS TAXIED DIRECTLY TO TAKEOFF AFTER BEING HANDPROPPED TO START. TO THE WITNESS WHO HANDPROPPED THE ACFT IT APPEARED TO CLIMB AT ABOUT A 70 DEGREE ANGLE AFTER TAKEOFF AND STALL BEFORE DIVING NOSE FIRST INTO THE GROUND. ENGINE SOUNDS REMAINED CONSTANT THROUGHOUT THE FLT. THIS WITNESS RAN TO THE ACFT AND NOTICED THE AFT STICK TIED IN THE FULL AFTPOSITION BY THE REAR SEAT BELT. THE PLT CONFIRMED THIS CONDITION AND STATED THAT SHE DID AN INCOMPLETE PREFLT, INCLUDINGTAKEOFF & CONTROL MOVEMENT CHECKS. SHE SAID SHE DISTRACTED BY ANOTHER TAXIING ACFT AND HURRIED HER DEPARTURE TO AVOID DELAYING THE OTHER ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33423](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33423-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 5-512, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-5A
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-512
- Airframe hours: 737
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-75-8 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rucker A. Tibbs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1983
- Airport: W90, New London, runway 16, 3,164 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,065 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,962 as pilot in command, 179 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LYH, 7 nm away

## 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 19840324033049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840324033049A), Mar 24, 1984: Piper J5A, Forest, VA, Substantial damage. Pilot did not remove rear seat belt which held rear control stick from moving while aircraft was parked.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.