# NTSB NYC85LA087: Piper PA-32R-301, N8429T, Zelienople, PA, March 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1985, 05:30 local (10:30 UTC)
- Place: Zelienople, PA
- Coordinates: 40.779983, -80.140625 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7800&lon=-80.1406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA087

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - door,passenger - open (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system - failure,total
  - electrical system - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PLT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE LOCK CYLINDER FOR THE CABIN DOOR WAS BROKEN. UPON REACHING AN ALT OF 1800 FT, THE CABIN DOOR POPPED OPEN. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE DOOR AFTER ACTIVATING THE AUTOPILOT. THE PLT STATED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WAS THEN EXPERIENCED. A 180 DEG TURN WAS MADE IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. AFTER VIEWING LIGHTS, WHICH THE PLT BELIEVED TO BE RWY LIGHTS, HE ATTEMPTED TO SET-UP FOR A LANDING WHILE TRYING TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT. THE ACFT THEN STALLED AND CONTACTED TREES. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT HEAVY RAIN AND FOG WAS PRESENT IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8429T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Central Skyport
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ZELIENOPLE, PA
- Destination: COLUMBUS, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 442 total, 4 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/bright
- 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 19850324011089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850324011089A), Mar 24, 1985: Piper PA32R301, Zelienople, PA, Destroyed. Discrepancy in weather at departure airport. Indications that pilot took off in near zero visibility and hit trees.

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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