# NTSB NYC85LA193: Piper PA-30, N999RH, Worcester, MA, July 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1985, 19:31 local (23:31 UTC)
- Place: Worcester, MA
- Location: 42.2671° N, 71.8756° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WORCESTER RGNL (ORH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2671&lon=-71.8756&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA193

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - touch-and-go - initiated, dual student
  - lift-off - improper, dual student (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - flare - not possible

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) & STUDENT WERE PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS. ON THE 4TH LANDING, THE APCH & TOUCHDOWN WERE MADE WITH FULL FLAPS EXTENDED. THE CFI BEGAN TO RETRACT THE FLAPS WHILE THE STUDENT APPLIED FULL POWER FOR TAKEOFF. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE & BEGAN TO YAW TO THE LEFT. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE ACFT WHEN THE STUDENT COULD NO LONGER MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE CFI THEN REDUCED POWER ON BOTH ENGS IN AN EFFORT TO LAND. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND & BEGAN BURNING. THE CFI THOUGHT THAT THEY HAD EXPERIENCED A SPLIT FLAP CONDITION. HOWEVER, A VISUAL EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT BOTH FLAPS WERE IN THE NEARLY FULL DOWN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N999RH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N999RH-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 30-421, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-421
- Airframe hours: 3460
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Hertzell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1984, 70 hours before
- Airport: ORH, Worcester Muni, runway 29, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,734 total, 80 in this make and model, 4,571 as pilot in command, 203 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORH

## 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 19850724038599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850724038599A), Jul 24, 1985: Piper PA30, Worcester, MA, Destroyed. Lost directional control after liftoff. Possible split flap condition exagerated by premature liftoff.

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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