# NTSB IAD97LA094: Piper PA-28-161, N80964, Block Island, RI, June 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 1997, 20:00 local (Jun 29, 1997, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Block Island, RI - Location: 41.1681° N, 71.5778° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BLOCK ISLAND STATE (BID), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1681&lon=-71.5778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28210 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28210/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA094 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to comply with the airplane's takeoff checklist and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - roll/run - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - fence - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that all preflight and pre-takeoff checklist items were completed. After the airplane accelerated to 65 knots on the takeoff roll, the pilot 'pulled back on the yoke and the plane wouldn't takeoff.' The pilot aborted the takeoff by 'pulling the throttle to the closed position and simultaneously applying the brakes.' The airplane rolled off the departure end of the runway, down an embankment, struck a chain link fence where it came to rest in an upright position. Faint traces of rubber were found on the runway which corresponded to the wheel marks in the grass which lead to the airplane. The grass did not show indications of tearing or furrowing consistent with heavy braking or skidding tires. No malfunction anomalies were found in the airframe or the engine. The elevator trim was found in a 3/4 nose down position. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 1997, about 2000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N80964, was destroyed as it collided with a fence during an aborted takeoff at the Block Island Sate Airport (BID), Block Island, Rhode Island. The certificated private pilot and one passenger were uninjured. A second passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot reported that he had departed Sikorsky Memorial Airport (BDR), Bridgeport, Connecticut, with full tanks, and after landing at BID, did not receive any services. After completing all pre-flight and pre-takeoff items on the checklist, the pilot elected to perform a no flap takeoff. The pilot stated that the airplane accelerated to 65 knots and "I pulled back on the yoke and the plane wouldn't take off." The pilot aborted the takeoff by "pulling the throttle to the closed position and simultaneously applying the brakes." The airplane rolled off the departure end of the runway, down an embankment, and struck a chain link fence where it came to rest in an upright position. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector and a Rhode Island Airports Corporation Inspector examined the wreckage on June 29, 1997. They reported that faint traces of rubber were found on the runway that corresponded to the wheel marks in the grass which lead to the airplane. The marks in the grass did not show signs of tearing or furrowing consistent with heavy breaking or skidding of tires. No malfunction anomalies were found with the airframe or the engine. The right wing was separated from the fuselage at the forward attaching point with the main wing spar cracked, but was still attached. The right wing fuel tank was compromised, and the left wing fuel tank appeared to be full. Further examination of the flight controls revealed that the elevator trim indicator was set in approximately a 3/4 nose down position. A Piper Pilot Operating Handbook indicated that a normal take-off elevator trim would be neutral or slightly aft of neutral (nose up) setting. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80964](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80964), registered now, S/N 28-8216108, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8216108 - Airframe hours: 4380 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Three Wing Aircraft Sales, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1997, 82 hours before - Departed: BID - Destination: BDR, BRIDGEPORT, CT - Airport: BID, Block Island State, runway 28, 2,501 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 162 total, 31 in this make and model, 71 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BID ## 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 19970628046289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970628046289A), Jun 28, 1997: Piper PA28161, Block Island, RI, Destroyed. (-23) On June 28, 1997 at approximately 1930-2000 eastern daylight time, Piper, PA-28-161, N80964, sustained substantial damage when the private pilot aborted… 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.