# NTSB NYC88FA131: Piper PA-22-150, N3014Z, Thomasville, PA, April 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1988, 12:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Thomasville, PA
- Coordinates: 39.92007, -76.869255 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9201&lon=-76.8693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88FA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35999/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA131

## Probable cause

DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING, HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF WITH HIS AIRCRAFT WEIGHT ABOVE THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT IN A HIGH UNFAVORABLE 90 DEGREE CROSSWIND, FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND COLLIDED WITH TREES.

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF ON RWY 16 WITH LOCAL WINDS FROM 270-290 DEGS AT 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS. THE TAKEOFF WAS PERFORMED FROM AN INTERSECTION, 300 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY. AFTER CLIMBING APRX 25 FEET, THE ACFT ENTERED A LEFT TURN, CLIMBED TO APRX 100 FEET AGL AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. CALCULATIONS INDICATE THE ACFT WAS AT LEAST 71 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WT AT TAKEOFF. WEATHER INFO LISTED ABOVE IN THE DATA IS THE OFFICIAL WEATHER REPORTED 1 NM FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3014Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3014Z-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 22-6965, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6965
- Airframe hours: 1604
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. Baumbach & R. Guerrisi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1987, 27 hours before
- Departed: THV, THOMASVILLE, PA
- Destination: CRE, MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Airport: York Airport, runway 16, 4,190 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 191 total, 62 in this make and model, 134 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 19 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: THV, 1 nm away

## 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 19880429071629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880429071629A), Apr 29, 1988: Piper PA22150, York, PA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. No runup. Took off over gross and turned into trees. 500 feet from runway centerline.

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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