# NTSB BFO94LA101: Piper PA-23-250B, N5257Y, Kent, OH, June 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 1994, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Kent, OH - Coordinates: 41.140708, -81.360054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1407&lon=-81.3601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8934 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8934/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA101 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - water ## Analysis DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AT ROTATION SPEED, THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DOG HOUSE AND CAME TO REST IN A WATER HOLE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE CONTROL SYSTEMS REVEALED NO ANOMALIES. THE ENGINES AND THEIR PROPELLERS WERE EXAMINED WITH NO ANOMALIES NOTED. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE SINCE IT RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 1994, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23- 250B, N5257Y, veered off a private airstrip in Kent, Ohio, during the takeoff roll and collided with objects and water. The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that a thorough 1.5 hour preflight was accomplished. He stated that this flight was the first flight since the airplane had received an annual inspection. The pilot stated that he did a run-up and initiated the takeoff roll. He said that during the takeoff roll, at rotation speed, the airplane veered to the left and departed the airstrip. Post accident examination of the accident area revealed the airplane departed the runway left of the centerline and collided with a dog house and water hole. The airplane came to rest on the edge of the water hole partially submerged. Further examination revealed the nose gear and the right and left main gear were separated from the airplane. The rudder trim indicator was in the neutral position and the rudder pedals were indicating a full left rudder position. The airplane came to rest leaning to the right and the rudder was in the full right position. The fuselage section under the pilot's rudder pedals was damaged and hindered the movement of the rudder control cables. No rudder system anomalies were found. The airplane's left engine, propeller, and governor were sent to their manufacturer for examination. The engine was put in a test stand and functioned with no anomalies noted. The propeller and governor were disassembled and no anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5257Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5257Y-2011-01-03), registration cancelled 2011-01-03, S/N 27-2319, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250B - Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-2319 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sackett, Neil - Registered owner: Sackett, Neil - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1994, 2 hours before - Destination: 29G, RAVENNA, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 6 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CAK, 28 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 19940617015499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940617015499A), Jun 17, 1994: Piper PA23250, Kent, OH, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll. Ran off side of runway into a creek. No anomalies found. ## Other investigations on N5257Y (1) 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 MIA71FKT27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FKT27), Dec 27, 1970: Piper PA-23 (N5257Y), Opa Locka, FL, substantial damage 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.