# NTSB NYC83LA094: Piper PA-28RT-201, N2943F, West Chester, PA, April 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1983, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: West Chester, PA
- Coordinates: 39.989223, -75.599662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9892&lon=-75.5997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35170
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35170/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA094

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - vibration (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, airport personnel (cause)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, SOME OSCILLATION IN THE CONTROLS FOR THE NOSEWHEEL STEERING WAS NOTED. AT ABOUT 45 KTS, HE APPLIED BACK PRESSURE TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD ON THE NOSEWHEEL AS HE HAD DONE IN THE PAST. HE REPORTED THAT SINCE HE WAS ONLY 65 INCHES TALL, HIS FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED AFTER BACK PRESSURE WAS APPLIED. AT ROTATION SPEED, HE CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AHEAD. HE TRIED TO LIFT OFF & CLEAR OVER THE EQUIPMENT, BUT ABOUT 1 SECOND AFTER ROTATING, HE HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE NOSE GEAR LOCKING IN PLACE. HE CONTINUED THE CLIMB & WAS ADVISED THAT THE LEFT WING TIP HAD STRUCK THE EQUIPMENT. HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A PIECE OF DITCH DIGGING EQUIPMENT THAT HAD BEEN PARKED APRX 8 FT FROM THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2943F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2943F-2015-10-07), registration cancelled 2015-10-07, S/N 28R-7918232, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24R918232
- Airframe hours: 984
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Queen City Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1983, 18 hours before
- Departed: N99, WEST CHESTER, PA
- Destination: 1N9, ALLENTOWN, PA
- Airport: N99, Brandywine, runway 27, 3,010 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 252 total, 6 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830413044919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830413044919A), Apr 13, 1983: Piper PA28RT201, West Chester, PA, Substantial damage. Wing tip struck construction equipment that was parked on edge of the runway. Continued takeoff and landed safely.

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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