# NTSB NYC00LA072: Piper PA-24, N6577P, Alton Bay, NH, February 5, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 5, 2000, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Alton Bay, NH - Location: 43.4776° N, 71.2370° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ALTON BAY SPB & ICE RWY (B18), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4776&lon=-71.2370&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48587 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48587/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA072 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot departed runway 01, an ice runway. During the takeoff, the airplane pulled to the left, and the pilot applied full right rudder to 'straighten out the path.' After rotation, the airplane impacted a snow bank and the pilot 'lost all control of the plane.' The pilot did not receive a weather briefing prior to his departure; however, he reported 'swirly, gusty winds' at the airport. Witnesses at the airport reported that the airplane's takeoff roll was much shorter than other airplanes. Approximately 20 feet off the ground, the airplane 'bobbled, stalled, and descended rapidly,' impacting a snow bank to the left of the runway. ## Factual narrative On February 5, 2000, about 1500 Eastern Standard Time, a Piper PA-24, N6577P, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Alton Bay Seaplane Base (B18), Alton Bay, New Hampshire. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he departed runway 01, a 3,500 foot long "ice runway." He reported that during the takeoff, the airplane "pulled to the left," and he applied full right rudder to "straighten out the path." After rotation, the airplane impacted a snow bank and the pilot "lost all control of the plane." The pilot stated he did not receive a weather briefing prior to his departure; however, he reported "swirly, gusty winds" at the airport. Witnesses at the airport reported that the airplane's takeoff roll was much shorter than other airplanes. Approximately 20 feet off the ground, the airplane "bobbled, stalled, and descended rapidly," impacting a snow bank to the left of the runway. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the left wing of the airplane was destroyed; however, it remained attached to the fuselage. The right wing and the firewall were buckled, and both fuel tanks were intact and contained fuel. The winds reported at an airport 20 miles away were from a heading of 300 at 12 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6577P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6577P-2013-08-20), registration cancelled 2013-08-20, S/N 24-1699, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1699 - Airframe hours: 3926 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bradford Randlett - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1999, 30 hours before - Departed: B18 - Destination: OWD, NORWOOD, MA - Airport: B18, Alton Bay Seaplane Base, runway 1, 3,500 × 100 ft, ice ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 611 total, 69 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CON, 20 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 20000205023549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000205023549A), Feb 5, 2000: Piper PA24, Alton Bay, NH, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot departed runway 01, an ice runway. During the takeoff, the airplane pulled to the left, and the pilot applied full right rudder to 'straighten… 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.