# NTSB NYC87LA193: Piper PA-23-250, N4627P, Sandy Creek, NY, June 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1987, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Sandy Creek, NY
- Coordinates: 43.649215, -76.119216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6492&lon=-76.1192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA193

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - door,exterior crew - open (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PA-23-250 ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF ON A 2200 FT LONG PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WITH A GRASS RUNWAY. WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT WAS AIRBORNE FURTHER DOWN THE RUNWAY THAN NORMAL. THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT CLEAR THE TREES ON THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID HE FAILED TO SET THE FLAPS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND THAT THE DOOR OPENED DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4627P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4627P-1990-03-26), registration cancelled 1990-03-26, S/N 27145 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27145
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanley Groman
- Registered owner: Groman, Stanley A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SANDY CREEK, NY
- Airport: Private, runway 30, 2,200 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19870629034059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870629034059A), Jun 29, 1987: Piper PA23250, Sandy Creek, NY, Substantial damage. Distracted by cabin door opening on takeoff. No flaps and calm air resulted in hitting trees off end of the runway.

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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