# NTSB NYC88LA217: Piper PA-32RT-300, N979LA, Wellsboro, PA, August 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1988, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Wellsboro, PA
- Coordinates: 41.739189, -77.299263 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7392&lon=-77.2993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA217

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF IN AN OVER GROSSED AIARCRAFT IN HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND FLEW OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO HIGH GRASS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A SECOND ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF, THE FIRST BEING ABORTED, THE AIRCRAFT FLEW OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY IN GROUND EFFECT INTO TALL GRASS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER GROSS WEIGHT AND THAT HE WAS TAKING OFF IN HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N979LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N979LA-1991-01-26), registration cancelled 1991-01-26, S/N 32R7985072 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R798072
- Airframe hours: 2268
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G59 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Laverne M. Goodreau
- Registered owner: International Flight Training
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1988, 20 hours before
- Departed: N38, WELLSBORO, PA
- Destination: 7A1, GREENVILLE, SC
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: N38, Grand Canyon St., runway 27, 2,100 × 72 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,820 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880814032479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880814032479A), Aug 14, 1988: Piper PA32RT300, Wellsboro, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tried second time to depart short strip,hot day,no flaps and over gross. Unable leave ground effect aborted crashed

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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