# NTSB NYC81FGM06: Cherokee RM-A-1, N481J, Eighty Four, PA, November 16, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: November 16, 1980
- Place: Eighty Four, PA · EIGHTY FOUR, PA
- Location: 40.1777° N, 80.1303° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Eighty Four, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1777&lon=-80.1303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 22, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC81FGM06
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FGM06

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2858  80/11/16   EIGHTY FOUR,PA      CHEROKEE RM-A-1     CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE UNK/NR, 38
        TIME - 1525                    N481J               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 0 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BANDEL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EIGHTY FOUR,PA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL                                                    TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO USE OR INCORRECTLY USED MISC.EQUIPMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        REMARKS- INADVERTENTLY RLSD TOW LN WHILE ATMTG TO OPER SPOILERS AT APRX 100FT AGL.BOTH LEVERS ON L SIDE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N481J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N481J-1983-08-10), registration cancelled 1983-08-10, S/N GAW 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHEROKEE RM-A-1
- Registry model: [Welley-Cherokee RM A1](https://openairdocs.org/model/welley-cherokee-rm-a1) (registry code 4060181) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider, amateur-built
- Engines: none
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Bandel

## 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 19801116066449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801116066449A), Nov 16, 1980: Amtrha CHEROKEE2, Eighty Four, PA, Substantial damage. Released two rope on takeoff at 100 feet by mistake. Stalled. Struck power line guywire on dive to ground impact.

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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