# NTSB IAD97LA101: Piper PA-28R-180, N4530J, Edgartown, MA, July 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 1997, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Edgartown, MA - Location: 41.3585° N, 70.5245° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at KATAMA AIRPARK (1B2), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3585&lon=-70.5245&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28216/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA101 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control. Related factors were the crosswind, wind gusts and high vegetation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot started his takeoff roll and lifted the nose of the airplane from the uneven, rough, turf runway, with a crosswind from the left. The airplane was aligned with the intended takeoff direction for about 528 feet, then it veered off the left side for an additional 776 feet, and collided with shrubs. According to the pilot, he lifted the nosewheel to protect it from the rough runway, and when the airplane initially drifted to the right, he corrected with left rudder, and left main wheel brake. The airplane then veered off the left side of the runway. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. The reported winds at the time of the accident were 270 degrees at 16 knots with wind gusts to 23 knots. The FAA reported a substantial dip in the turf runway, about the point where the airplane began to drift to the left. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 1997, at 1530 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N4530J, was substantially damaged when it collided with rough terrain during the takeoff roll at the Katama Airpark Airport, Edgartown, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Edgartown, Massachusetts. An instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed, but not activated. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was taking off on runway 24, a rough, uneven, turf runway, when the airplane veered off the left side of the runway onto rough terrain and collided with shrubs. He said that he lifted the nosewheel on the takeoff roll to protect it from the rough runway, but a crosswind from the left caught the airplane. As the airplane began to drift to the right, he corrected with left rudder and left main wheel brake, but the nosewheel came down at an angle to the left, and the airplane veered off the left side. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, examination of the ground scars at the accident site revealed the airplane was aligned with the intended takeoff direction for about 528 feet, and then veered off the left side of the runway for 776 feet, before it came to rest. The FAA Inspector said there was a substantial dip in the turf runway, about the point where the airplane veered off the left side. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane or the engine. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 270 degrees at 16 knots with wind gusts to 23 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4530J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4530J-1998-02-25), registration cancelled 1998-02-25, S/N 28R30388 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R30388 - Airframe hours: 4197 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ramco Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 23, 1997, 122 hours before - Departed: 1B2 - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 1B2, Katama Airpark, runway 24, 2,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,021 total, 1,662 in this make and model, 1,802 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MVY, 6 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 19970719018989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970719018989A), Jul 19, 1997: Piper PA28R180, Edgartown, MA, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost control on takeoff and crashed 200FT off end of runway. (-23) on takeoff approximately 528' from white start line on runway 24 aircraft veered to… 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.