# NTSB LAX97LA196: Piper PA-32-300, N4510X, Tinian, Sark, May 27, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1997
- Place: Tinian, Sark
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA196

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper takeoff abort.  Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper preflight planning and preparation.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - aborted takeoff - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the takeoff was normal.  As he attempted to adjust the pitch attitude during climb out of ground effect, the control yoke locked in position and could not be moved fore or aft.  He aborted the takeoff and porpoised the remaining 1,500 feet down the runway collapsing the nose landing gear.  A postaccident examination by two FAA inspectors failed to find any type of control interference.  The inspectors reported that the company station manager said the pilot had initially reported 'odd vibrations' just before the abort.

## Factual narrative

On May 27, 1997, about 0905 hours local island time, a Piper PA-32-300, N4510X, operated by Pacific Island Aviation, Inc., was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from the West Tinian Airport in the northern Mariana Islands.  Neither the pilot nor the four passengers were injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 135 flight and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft was departing for Saipan.

According to the pilot, the takeoff was normal and after liftoff from runway 08, he could not move the control yoke forward or aft.  He decided to abort and land straight ahead.  The aircraft porpoised down the remaining 1,500 feet of runway collapsing the nose landing gear.

A postaccident examination of the aircraft by two FAA inspectors failed to find any type of control interference.  The inspectors reported that the company station manager said the pilot had initially reported "odd vibrations" just before the abort.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4510X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7640031
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Pacific Island Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TNI, OF
- Destination: PGSN, SAIPAN, OF
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TNI, West Tinian Island, runway 8, 6,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 915 total, 27 in this make and model, 744 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TNI, 1 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 19970527011939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970527011939A), May 27, 1997: Piper PA32300, Tinian, PS, Substantial damage. Locked elevator controls on takeoff, ran off end of runway.

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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