# NTSB CHI79FEK08: Piper PA32RT, N31996, Sidney, OH, March 16, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 16, 1979
- Place: Sidney, OH · SIDNEY, OH
- Location: 40.2891° N, 84.1682° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sidney, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2891&lon=-84.1682&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 8, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FEK08
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEK08

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0491  79/3/16    SIDNEY,OH           PIPER PA32RT        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 37, 333
        TIME - 0715                    N31996              PX-  0  0  5  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 6 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SIDNEY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SIDNEY,OH                   NEW PHILADELPHIA,OH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: NOSEWHEEL ASSEMBLIES
        REMARKS- FROST ON WINGS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31996](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31996), registered now, S/N 32R-7885151, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32RT
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Sidney

## 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 19790316004819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790316004819A), Mar 16, 1979: Piper PA32RT300, Sidney, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot unable to control aircraft during takeoff, due to restricted steering and frost.

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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