# NTSB NYC88LA114: Piper PA-32, N36440, Erie, PA, March 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1988, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Erie, PA
- Coordinates: 42.129009, -80.140373 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1290&lon=-80.1404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36123
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36123/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA114

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED AND THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY AND RAN OFF THE END.

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inattentive, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE SOD FIELD ALLEGED THAT AFTER LIFT OFF THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK ONTO THE RUNWAY AND RAN OFF THE END. IT CLEARED A CULVERT AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY THEN CAME TO A STOP. THE PILOT THOUGHT THAT GUSTY WINDS AND WINDSHEAR COULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36440](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36440), registered now, S/N 32-7840162 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7840162
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Harrington
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1988, 2,104 hours before
- Departed: TIDIOUTE, PA
- Destination: ERIE, PA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 66 in this make and model, 63 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 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 19880329052269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880329052269A), Mar 29, 1988: Piper PA32300, Tidioute, PA, Substantial damage. Failed to accelerate on short field takeoff. Settled to ground off end of short strip. Blamed windshear on liftoff.

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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