# NTSB DCA77AA012: Piper PA-31T, N631PT, Bressler, PA, February 24, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 24, 1977
- Place: Bressler, PA · BRESSLER, PA
- Location: 40.2319° N, 76.8190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bressler, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2319&lon=-76.8190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 8 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 27, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 156891
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA77AA012
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA77AA012

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0001  77/2/24    BRESSLER,PA         PIPER PA-31T        CR-  2  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 0924                    N631PT              PX-  6  0  0  OTHER PUBLIC              35, 4469 TOTAL HOURS, 32
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CAPITAL CITY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          NEW CUMBERLAND,PA           RETURN                       UNIVERSITY PARK,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3/4 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       36
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          120                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      IFR
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- TKOF CG ABOUT 3.2IN AFT OF REAR CG LIMIT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N631PT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N631PT-1977-04-28), registration cancelled 1977-04-28, S/N 31T-7720001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (registry code 7103124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Capital City

## 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 19770224041649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770224041649A), Feb 24, 1977: Piper PA31T, Bressler, PA, Destroyed, 6 fatal. Tkof CG about 3.2IN aft of rear CG limit.

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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