# NTSB NYC81FA031: Beech H18, N161SP, Hazelton, PA, March 11, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: March 11, 1981
- Place: Hazelton, PA · HAZELTON, PA
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 2, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127318
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC81FA031
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FA031

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0260  81/3/11    HAZELTON,PA         BEECH H18           CR-  0  0  2  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1017                    N161SP              PX-  0  0  1  COMMUTER AIR CARRIER      33, 3306 TOTAL HOURS, 505
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG S-D        IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HAZELTON MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HAZELTON,PA                 READING,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    TAKEOFF: ABORTED
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRFRAME ICE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - SNOW
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISUSED OR FAILED TO USE FLAPS
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: SNOW ON RUNWAY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - RAN OFF END OF RUNWAY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - COMPANY DISPATCH
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - LATERAL CONTROL PROBLEM
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  300
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                           SNOW
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR
        REMARKS- SNOW ON WINGS.PLACED FLAPS FULL DOWN DRG ABORT.ROLLED OFF INTO 14FT GULLEY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N161SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N161SP-2012-08-09), registration cancelled 2012-08-09, S/N BA-698, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H18
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Hazelton Muni

## 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 19810311009129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810311009129A), Mar 11, 1981: Beech H18, Hazelton, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff with snow on aircraft. Ran off end of runway after aborting takeoff.

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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