# NTSB ERA12CA475: Piper PA-20, N7465K, Cooperstown, NY, July 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2012, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Cooperstown, NY - Coordinates: 42.629165, -74.891113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6292&lon=-74.8911&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84429 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA475 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84429/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84429 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA475 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, before initiating the takeoff, he observed that the two windsocks located on the runway indicated a crosswind. Just after lifting off, the pilot felt a gust of wind from the left, and the airplane was pushed right toward a cornfield located next to the runway. The right wingtip impacted cornstalks, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted in the field, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that prior to initiating the takeoff, he observed that the two windsocks located on the runway indicated a crosswind. Just after lifting off, the pilot felt a gust of wind from the left, and the airplane was pushed right towards a cornfield located next to the runway. The right wingtip impacted cornstalks, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted in the field, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both left and right wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7465K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7465K-2021-04-03), registration cancelled 2021-04-03, S/N 20-376, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-376 - Airframe hours: 2046 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Vincent Dellechaie - Registered owner: Vincent Dellechaie - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2012 - Departed: K23, Cooperstown, NY - Destination: RME, Rome, NY - Airport: K23, Cooperstown-Westville Airport, runway 02, 3,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,120 total, 1,050 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: ALB, 48 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 20120721016059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120721016059A), Jul 21, 2012: Piper PA-20, Cooperstown, NY, Substantial damage. On 7/21/2012 at approximately 11:15AM while taking off runway 2 on a northern heading, at very low altitude, the aircraft drifted into a cornfield on the east… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84429. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375588&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot and Passenger Statements (Courtesy of New York State Police) (item 2, .PDF, 380 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20and%20Passenger%20Statements%20(Courtesy%20of%20New%20York%20State%20Police)-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane as it came to rest (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.