# NTSB NYC85LA002: Piper PA-18-150, N83665, Waterbury, CT, October 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1984, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Waterbury, CT
- Location: 41.6334° N, 73.0468° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MOUNT TOBE (N41), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6334&lon=-73.0468&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PLT INITIATED A TURN INTO THE CROSSWIND TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY HEADING. AS HE DID SO, A WIND GUST TIPPED THE ACFT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE TURN. GROUND CONTACT OCCURRED BEFORE CORRECTIVE CONTROL INPUTS BY THE PLT COULD TAKE EFFECT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83665](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83665), registered now, S/N 18-7709112, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187709112
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gaudet, H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: N41, Waterbury, runway 17, 2,037 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,171 total, 20 in this make and model, 1,103 as pilot in command, 251 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19841003053559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841003053559A), Oct 3, 1984: Piper PA18150, Waterbury, CT, Destroyed. After liftoff, started bank into wind, gust steepened bank. Impacted ground with wing and in a nose low attitude.

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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