# NTSB NYC85LA137: Piper PA-28-235, N8966W, Batavia, NY, May 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1985, 22:10 local (May 30, 1985, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Batavia, NY
- Coordinates: 42.990737, -78.179252 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9907&lon=-78.1793&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): 35884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA137

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR ON INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AT AN ALT OF APRX 100 FT AGL, THE ENG QUIT OPERATING. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE 100 YRDS OFF THE END OF RWY 28. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND ENG FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTIONS WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF PWR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8966W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8966W-2017-06-20), registration cancelled 2017-06-20, S/N 28-10543, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2810543
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Gratton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1983
- Departed: ROCHESTER, NY
- Airport: 3G8, Genesee Co, runway 28, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 137 total, 14 in this make and model, 28 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °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 19850529067549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850529067549A), May 29, 1985: Piper PA28235, Batavia, NY, Substantial damage. Crashed landing on remaining runway after engine quit from undetermined cause on takeoff. Auto fuel in use.

## Other investigations on N8966W (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI05FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05FA080), Mar 27, 2005: Piper PA-28-235 (N8966W), West Union, IA, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff, and the pull-up to avoid obstacles which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors associated…

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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