# NTSB BFO94LA113: Piper PA-32R-300, N40051, Seven Springs, PA, June 23, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1994, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Seven Springs, PA
- Coordinates: 40.040405, -79.319801 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0404&lon=-79.3198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8941
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8941/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA113

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed and his premature liftoff which resulted in a stall mush and collision with trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF AS THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED 2/3 DOWN THE RUNWAY THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF INITIALLY THEN SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY.  HE STATED THAT HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 50 TO 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND HE STALLED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE TREES 100 TO 200 YARDS FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE AND EXAMINED BY THE FAA.  THE EXAMINATION DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY ANOMALIES THAT WOULD CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION.

## Factual narrative

On June 23, 1994, at 1045 eastern daylight time, N40051, a Piper PA 32R-300, operated by Tanager Corporation of Brighton, Michigan, sustained substantial damage during takeoff at Seven Springs Airport, Seven Springs, Pennsylvania.  The certificated private pilot received minor injuries while his two passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The personal flight was operated under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot reported that during takeoff as the airplane accelerated 2/3 down the runway the airplane lifted off initially then settled back onto the runway.  He stated that he continued to takeoff and that at about 50 to 100 feet above the ground the engine started to sputter.  The pilot stated that he stalled the airplane into the trees about 100 to 200 yards from the end of the runway.

The airplane was removed from the accident site and examined by the FAA.  The examination included placing the engine on a test stand and no anomalies were noted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40051](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40051-1994-11-03), registration cancelled 1994-11-03, S/N 32R7780512 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3R-7780512
- Airframe hours: 3900
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tanager Corporation
- Registered owner: Tanager Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 1993, 80 hours before
- Departed: 7SP, PA
- Destination: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE
- Airport: 7SP, Seven Springs, runway 28, 3,045 × 42 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,200 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JST, 28 nm away

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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