# NTSB IAD98LA048: Piper PA-28-140, N3757V, Downsville, NY, April 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 1998, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Downsville, NY - Coordinates: 42.079868, -74.989105 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0799&lon=-74.9891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28290 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28290/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA048 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, taxi - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was demonstrating high speed taxi runs to a prospective buyer. On the last taxi run, the airplane veered off the runway into high grass, traveled down an embankment and came to rest in some trees. The pilot reported that the airplane did not become airborne, and that the accident could have been prevented if he had taxied slower. A witness reported that the airplane did become airborne and was about 30 feet above the ground, at a high angle of attack, when the wings rocked back and forth. The airplane touched down hard and then veered off the runway. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot did not have a current medical certificate nor did he have a current biennial flight review. According to the airplane's maintenance records, the last annual inspection was completed 4 years prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 1998, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N3757V, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during a high speed taxi at a private grass strip near Downsville, New York. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured while the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot said that he was demonstrating the airplane to a prospective buyer. He said he elected to demonstrate high speed taxi runs, operation of rudder control and brake control and not takeoff because the winds were gusty. He said that the airplane never got airborne. A witness, a commercial pilot, who accompanied the prospective buyer to the airport, observed the demonstration flight. He reported that the winds had decreased, and the pilot decided to take the buyer up in the air to demonstrate the airplane. He said that the pilot was taking off on runway 6, and that the winds had shifted 180 degrees, and the pilot was taking off with a tailwind. He said the airplane got airborne about 30 feet above the ground, with a high angle of attack, when the wings rocked back and forth, and the airplane touched down hard. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway, and crossed an access road down an embankment. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector said that the pilot did not have a current biennial, and the airplane maintenance records showed that the last annual inspection was completed 4 years ago. The pilot had reported over 4,340 hours of total flight experience, when he applied for a third class medical, that was issued on March 22, 1995. He said he had over 550 hours in make and model, and had not flown within the last 90 days. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction and that the accident could have been prevented if he had taxied slower. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3757V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3757V-2019-05-20), registration cancelled 2019-05-20, S/N 28-26240 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-26240 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles J Amato - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE - Airport: NY78, Downsville, runway 6, 2,700 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 4,340 total, 550 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 15 knots ## 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 19980425007699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980425007699A), Apr 25, 1998: Piper PA28140, Downsville, NY, Substantial damage. Stalled after liftoff. Nosed down. Sheared nose gear. Slid off end runway down wooded slope. 150 not airworthy. (.4)according to the pilot, he was… 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.