# NTSB NYC85LA224: Piper PA-28-140, N4252J, Central Square, NY, August 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1985, 10:16 local (14:16 UTC)
- Place: Central Square, NY
- Coordinates: 43.280174, -76.140892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2802&lon=-76.1409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35956/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA224

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance - deteriorated (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT DURING TAKEOFF. HE FLEW THE ACFT BETWEEN TREES AT THE END OF THE RWY AND SEVERED THE WINGS FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE ACFT WAS FOUND TO BE 317 LBS OVER GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4252J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4252J-1990-03-27), registration cancelled 1990-03-27, S/N 2822609 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22609
- Airframe hours: 4260
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Cavanaugh
- Registered owner: Richard G.Dower
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1984, 22 hours before
- Destination: MSS, MASSENA, NY
- Airport: NY08, Syracuse Suburban, runway 33, 2,600 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 136 total, 2 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Observed at: SYR

## 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 19850828041709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850828041709A), Aug 28, 1985: Piper PA28140, Central Square, NY, Destroyed. Attempted takeoff 317 pounds over gross weight. Aircraft would not remain airborne. Went between 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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