# NTSB IAD05LA001: Piper PA-34-200T, N5507V, Robbinsville, NJ, October 2, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 2004, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Robbinsville, NJ - Coordinates: 40.21389, -74.601669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2139&lon=-74.6017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60268 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60268/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA001 ## Probable cause The repair station's improper installation of the stabilator trim tab. A factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - stabilator trim - improper, other maintenance personnel - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - not secured - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - Gear collapsed, takeoff ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, and at an indicated airspeed of about 70 to 75 knots, the pilot felt the nose of the airplane dip and then rise off the ground. The pilot pushed the control yoke forward to level the airplane; it contacted the runway, and then skidded to a stop. The landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed that the stabilator trim rod forward attachment hardware and the aft attachment nut were not installed. Photographs of the stabilator trim tab attachment point showed that it was visible and not obscured by any cowlings or coverings. The loss of the forward attachment hardware would result in an abnormal response, or "lightening," of the stabilator control. About 60 flight hours and 11 months prior to the accident, a repair station had removed, repaired, and reinstalled the stabilator trim tab. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 2004, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200T, N5507V, was substantially damaged during the takeoff roll at Trenton-Robbinsville Airport (N87), Robbinsville, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement the pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, and at an indicated airspeed of about 70 to 75 knots, she felt the nose of the airplane dip and then rise off the ground. She pushed the control yoke forward to level the airplane, it contacted the runway, and then skidded to a stop. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane's left main landing gear was sheared off at the strut, and the right main and nose landing gear were collapsed. The left main landing gear axle nut was separated from the axle and was found on the runway with the cotter key still attached. Further examination revealed that the stabilator trim rod forward attachment hardware was not installed. The bolt and associated nut were not recovered. The stabilator trim rod aft attachment bolt was in place, but the nut was not installed, nor was it recovered. Examination of photographs taken by the FAA inspector of the trim rod attachment point revealed that the trim rod attachment point was visible on the underside of the stabilator trim tab, and was not obscured by any cowlings or coverings. According to the New Piper Aircraft Customer Care Team, with the stabilator trim set at a neutral position and the forward stabilator trim rod attachment bolt not installed, the stabilator would not perform as expected by the pilot. As airspeed increased, the lift force and hinge moment produced by the trim tab would result in a "lightening" of the stabilator control. "Normal" pilot effort would result in an unexpected over-rotation. Examination of the airplane's maintenance log revealed that the airplane had undergone an annual inspection about 60 flight hours and 11 months prior to the accident. A review of the repair station's work order describing the services performed to the airplane revealed that the stabilator trim tab had been removed, repaired, and reinstalled. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5507V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5507V-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 34-7770232 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-34-200T - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7770232 - Airframe hours: 4147 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eugenia M. Singer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 2003, 60 hours before - Departed: N87, Robbinsville, NJ - Airport: N87, Trenton-Robbinsville Airport, runway 11, 4,275 × 80 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 10, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,833 total, 716 in this make and model, 1,714 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: TTN, 11 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 20041002024959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041002024959A), Oct 2, 2004: Piper PA34200T, Robbinsville, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated: I was on my take off roll close to rotation speed and suddenly the nose reared up. I pushed forward on the yoke to lower the nose. The… 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.