# NTSB NYC85LA251: Piper PA-28-180, N2335R, Pittstown, NJ, September 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1985, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Pittstown, NJ
- Location: 40.5659° N, 74.9793° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SKY MANOR (N40), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5659&lon=-74.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30153
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30153/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA251

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - flight control,elevator - movement restricted (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - loose (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF ON A 2439 FT RWY, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO APPLY BACK ELEVATOR PRESSURE THUS THE ACFT WAS PREVENTED FROM BECOMING AIRBORNE. THE ACFT TRAVELED OFF THE END OF THE RWY WHERE IT CONTACTED A FENCE AND TREES. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THE RADIO WIRING HARNESS/PLUGS FELL DOWN IN FRONT OF THE CONTROL COLUMN SPROCKET ASS'Y THEREBY RESTRICTING THE CONTROL COLUMNS AFT MOVEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2335R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5493
- Airframe hours: 2699
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry H. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1985, 13 hours before
- Airport: N40, Sky Manor Airport, runway 25, 2,439 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 18,757 total, 6,043 in this make and model, 18,573 as pilot in command, 247 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850929047929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850929047929A), Sep 29, 1985: Piper PA28180, Pittstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Elevator control system jammed on takeoff. Aborted. Ran thru trees. Radio wiring harness jammed sprocket assembly.

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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