# NTSB NYC06CA043: Piper PA-23-250, N62497, State College, PA, December 16, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 15, 2005, 21:09 local (Dec 16, 2005, 02:09 UTC)
- Place: State College, PA
- Coordinates: 40.849166, -77.848609
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8492&lon=-77.8486&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 62964
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62964/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA043

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff run.  A factor was the snow-covered runway.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - foreign substance covered (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot taxied to the snow-covered runway for takeoff, and following a run-up check of the engines, taxied onto the runway and began the takeoff roll.  The airplane accelerated "normally" down the runway, and when it reached about 80 knots airspeed, it veered to the left.  The airplane subsequently departed the runway and impacted a snow bank, resulting in substantial damage.  The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot taxied to the snow-covered runway for takeoff, and following a run-up check of the engines, taxied onto the runway and began the takeoff roll.  The airplane accelerated "normally" down the runway, and when it reached about 80 knots airspeed, it veered to the left.  The airplane subsequently departed the runway and impacted a snow bank, resulting in substantial damage.  The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62497](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62497-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 27-7654021, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7654021
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Northeast Aviation Co Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: UNV, State College, PA
- Destination: PNE, Philadelphia, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: UNV, University Park Airport, runway 24

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 7,300 total, 700 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night

## 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 20051215030759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051215030759A), Dec 15, 2005: Piper PA23250, State College, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) While attempting to take off during snow showers or snow covered runwy pilot lost control of aircraft veering off runway hitting runway sign and snow…

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.