# NTSB NYC85LA207: Piper PA-18, N8105D, Moose River, NY, May 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1985, 12:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Moose River, NY
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA207

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING TAKEOFF AND CRASHED. THE PLT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL WHICH' FORCED' THE ACFT INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8105D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8105D-1989-12-13), registration cancelled 1989-12-13, S/N 186783 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-6783
- Airframe hours: 2961
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 95-12F 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Basil Ritter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1984
- Destination: INDIAN LAKE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 362 total, 362 in this make and model, 351 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: UCA

## 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 19850517040599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850517040599A), May 17, 1985: Piper PA18, Moose River Pla, NY, Destroyed. Pilot stated that downdraft forced floatplane into trees on takeoff. Student pilot medical certificate had expired.

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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