# NTSB NYC83LA017: Piper PA-20, N1836A, Burlington, CT, August 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1982, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, CT
- Location: 41.7693° N, 72.9645° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Burlington, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7693&lon=-72.9645&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA017

## 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
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT BEGAN TAKING OFF ON RUNWAY 19 WITH A RIGHT CROSSWIND. REPORTEDLY, A STRONG GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. IT HEADED TOWARD THE OPENING OF A CULVERT THAT WENT UNDER THE RUNWAY. TO AVOID THE OPENING, THE PILOT TURNED THE AIRCRAFT FURTHER LEFT. AFTER THE LEFT TURN, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE AIRCRAFT AS IT PROCEEDED DOUNGRADE WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND.  HE TRIED TO MANEUVER THE PLANE BETWEEN THE CULVERT OPENING AND A TREE; HOWEVER, THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK THE TREE. THE WIND WAS ESTIMATED TO BE FROM 270 DEG AT 15, GUSTING 35 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1836A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1836A), registered now, S/N 20-875, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20875
- Airframe hours: 8000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Ascher
- Registered owner: David Ascher
- Departed: 22B, BURLINGTON, CT
- Destination: 22B, BURLINGTON, CT
- Airport: 22B, Johnnycake, runway 19, 2,675 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,989 total, 1,526 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F

## 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 19820808034949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820808034949A), Aug 8, 1982: Piper PA20, Burlington, CT, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff due to severe crosswind. Veered off runway into a tree. Wind exceeded control.

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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