# NTSB ATL97LA101: Piper PA-34-200, N4515T, Fajardo, PR, July 6, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1997, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Fajardo, PR
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3872
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3872/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA101

## Probable cause

a malfunction (jamming) of the elevator flight control system for undetermined reason(s).

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,elevator - jammed (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he had been doing touch-and-go landings for an hour when he experienced a loss of elevator control during climbout. He said that the airplane had climbed to 400 feet when the control yoke stuck. Efforts, to regain control of the airplane failed. After transmitting several 'may day' calls, the pilot prepared the airplane for ditching. The airplane ditched in about 130 feet of water 200 meters east of the Fajardo shoreline. The airplane was not recovered for examination. The pilot did not report any previous flight control problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On July 6, 1997, at 0830 atlantic standard time, a Piper PA-34-200, N4515T, ditched in 130 feet of water during an attempted takeoff from the Diego Jimenez Airport in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. The personal flight operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed Fajardo, Puerto Rico, at 0730.

The pilot reported that he had been doing touch and go landings for an hour when he experienced a loss of elevator control during climbout. The pilot said that he had climbed to 400 feet when the control yoke stuck. Efforts, to regain control of the airplane, failed. After transmitting several "may day" calls, the pilot prepared the airplane for ditching. The airplane ditched in about 130 feet of water 200 meters east of the Fajardo shoreline.

The airplane was not recovered for examination. The pilot did not report any previous flight control problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4515T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4515T-1998-12-09), registration cancelled 1998-12-09, S/N 347250120 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7250120
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carlos R. Rodriguez-Botet
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: X95
- Airport: X95, Fajardo Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 548 total, 154 in this make and model, 548 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: X95, 3 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 19970706016839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970706016839A), Jul 6, 1997: Piper PA34200, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Practicing touch and go's for one hour, control stuck, unable to climb, crashed. (.4)the pilot reported that he had been doing touch-and-go landings for an…

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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