# NTSB ATL87LA063: Piper PA-23-250, N2489R, Wilkesboro, NC, January 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1987, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Wilkesboro, NC
- Coordinates: 36.140636, -81.159797 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1406&lon=-81.1598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7372
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7372/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA063

## 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
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport snow removal - not attained, airport personnel (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A TAKEOFF ATTEMPT, THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT DID NOT GET AN AIRSPEED INDICATION. HOWEVER, THE LEFT AIRSPEED INDICATED 45 MPH WHEN THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY 1700 FEET FROM THE INITIAL TAKEOFF ROLL. RUNWAY 06 IS 4250 FEET LONG. THE PLANNED LIFTOFF SPEED SHOULD HAVE BEEN 80 MPH AT 5000 POUNDS GROSS WEIGHT WITH A TOTAL TAKEOFF DISTANCE OF 1200 FEET. THIS TAKEOFF DATA IS BASED UPON A LEVEL, DRY, PAVED SURFACE. FAA ADVISORY CIRCULAR 91-6A STATES THAT TAKEOFF SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED WITH GREATER THAN 1/2 INCH OF WET SNOW ON THE RWY SURFACE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE RWY WAS COVERED WITH 4 INCHES SNOW

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2489R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2489R-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 27-8154028, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-8154D28
- Airframe hours: 1133
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wilkes Aviation Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1986, 39 hours before
- Departed: WILKESBORO, NC
- Destination: ALLENTOWN, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IKB, Wilkes County, runway 6, 4,250 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 5,782 total, 225 in this make and model, 5,575 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 270 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 19870122001009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870122001009A), Jan 22, 1987: Piper PA23250, Wilkesboro, NC, Substantial damage. The pilot aborted takeoff due to snow buildup on windscreen and no airspeed indication. Aircraft slid off 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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