# NTSB NYC89LA142: Piper PA22-150, N9965D, Uxbridge, MA, June 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1989, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Uxbridge, MA
- Location: 42.0773° N, 71.6295° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Uxbridge, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0773&lon=-71.6295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA142

## Probable cause

IMPROPER MANEUVERING SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP OF MARGINAL LENGTH FOR THE CALIBER OF ACFT BEING OPERATED. A WIND CHANGE ADDED TO THE ALREADY EXACTING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A LEFT TURN AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP THE PILOT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED WIND SHEAR AND DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE TOPS OF TREES THEN FELL TO THE GROUND UPSIDE DOWN. THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES BUT THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY THE POST CRASH FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9965D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9965D-1995-01-17), registration cancelled 1995-01-17, S/N 226756 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6756
- Airframe hours: 1875
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wade C Gordan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1989, 6 hours before
- Departed: UXBRIDGE, MA
- Destination: SFZ, LINCOLN, RI
- Airport: runway 27, 1,200 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 580 total, 430 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °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 19890603014289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890603014289A), Jun 3, 1989: Piper PA22150, Uxbridge, MA, Destroyed. Struck trees on climbout. Blamed windshear. Marginal runway lenght and slow speed were factors.

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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