# NTSB ATL87LA202: Piper PA-32RT-300, N9385C, Liberty, NC, July 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1987, 22:00 local (Jul 3, 1987, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Liberty, NC
- Coordinates: 35.849323, -79.570777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8493&lon=-79.5708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7475
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7475/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA202

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

BFR DEPARTING ON A NGT FLT, THE ACFT WAS LOADED UNTIL IT WAS AT OR NEAR ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT. THE PLT STATED THAT AS HE WAS TAKING OFF ON A 3000' RWY, THE ENG 'COUGHED' AFTER THE ACFT HAD ACCELERATED TO ABOUT THE ROTATION SPEED & WAS APRX 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN THE RWY. HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP ON THE REMAINING RWY. BFR STOPPING, THE ACFT WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAM & AN OPNL CHECK OF THE ENG REVEALED NO PRE-ACDNT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, EXCEPT FOR A RICH IDLE MIXTURE. ABOUT 19 MI NW AT GREENSBORO, NC, THE WX WAS: 7000 FT BRKN, 15 MI VIS, WIND FROM 200 DEG AT 7 KTS, TEMP 74, DEW POINT 70, ALTIMETER SETTING 30.03' HG. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT OPERATOR'S MANUAL, 840' OF PAVED RWY WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO STOP. SKID MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE LAST 500' OF THE RWY & ACROSS 250' OF SOD BEFORE THE ACFT WENT OFF THE EMBANKMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9385C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9385C), registered now, S/N 32R-7885046 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7885046
- Airframe hours: 3540
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Causey Aviation Service,Inc.
- Registered owner: Causey Aviation Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 22, 1987, 20 hours before
- Destination: CRE, NO.MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 2A5, Causey, runway 20, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 618 total, 97 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 19 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 19870702037409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870702037409A), Jul 2, 1987: Piper PA32RT300, Liberty, NC, Substantial damage. Overran the runway following an aborted takeoff. Ran down an embankment. At maximum gross weight. Aborted too late.

## Other investigations on N9385C (2)

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.

- [NTSB ATL00LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00LA053), Apr 30, 2000: Piper PA-32RT-200 (N9385C), Mt. Pleasant, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane collision with a deer during a night landing.
- [NTSB MIA97LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA243), Sep 13, 1997: Piper PA-32RT-300 (N9385C), Oxford, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: fatigue failure of the No.4 connecting rod in an area where galling had occurred, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. Related factors were: the pilot's lack of communication…

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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