# NTSB NYC83FA142: Piper PA-18A-150, N783L, Collegeville, PA, June 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1983, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Collegeville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.17918, -75.449897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1792&lon=-75.4499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA142

## 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
  - climb - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A STEEP CLIMB AFTER MAKING A SHORT TAKEOFF ROLL. ONE WITNESS ESTIMATED THAT THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS ABOUT 400 FT & THEN THE ACFT ENTERED A CLIMB AT APRX A 35 DEG ANGLE. AFTER REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVE TO ENTER A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASH. AN INSPECTION OF THE ACFT & ENG WAS MADE, BUT NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURES WERE VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N783L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N783L-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 18-5520, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5520
- Airframe hours: 3323
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald S. Beaver
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1983, 37 hours before
- Destination: LANGHORNE, PA
- Airport: N10, Perkiomen Valley, runway 27, 2,870 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 970 total, 919 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABE, 27 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 19830612027619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830612027619A), Jun 12, 1983: Piper PA18A150, Collegeville, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Short takeoff roll early liftoff. Steep climb. Stalled. Dived to 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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