# NTSB LAX84LA031: Piper PA-25-235, N4361Y, New River, AZ, October 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1983, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: New River, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.590278, -112.100006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5903&lon=-112.1000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24071
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24071/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA031

## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE TOW PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A TAKEOFF TOW WITH BOTH ACFT STILL ON THE GROUND, HE STARTED TO DRIFT RIGHT AS A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT HIM. THE GLIDER PILOT DECIDED TO RELEASE. THE TOW ACFT THEN WENT 100 YARDS OFF THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED GLIDER. WIND WAS GUSTING 30 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4361Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4361Y-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 25-4866, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4866
- Airframe hours: 3616
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B285 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Sexton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1983, 44 hours before
- Airport: AZ05, Pleasant Valley, runway 5, 4,000 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,440 total, 1,550 in this make and model, 2,350 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 25 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 19831024055379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831024055379A), Oct 24, 1983: Piper PA25235, New River, AZ, Substantial damage. Gusty wind drifted tow plane. Glider pilot released causing tow pilot to lose control and drift into parked glider.

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.

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