# NTSB NYC91FA140: Piper PA-28-151, N8433C, Shelburne, VT, May 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1991, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Shelburne, VT
- Location: 44.3913° N, 73.2182° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shelburne, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3913&lon=-73.2182&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA140

## Probable cause

PREMATURE LIFT-OFF BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A SUBSEQUENT STALL/MUSH AND COLLISION WITH TREES.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION.

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF FROM A 2500 FT GRASS STRIP WITH 3 ADULTS ON BOARD.  ACCORDING TO WITNESSES AND ONE OF THE PASSENGERS, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF, THEN ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE RUNWAY, IT SETTLED BACK ONTO THE SURFACE.  THE WITNESSES SAID THAT AS THE AIRPLANE GOT NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY, IT LIFTED OFF AGAIN AND STARTED A SLOW CLIMB.  THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT SAID, '. . . WE TOOK OFF BUT THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED VERY SLOWLY AND NEVER REALLY CLIMBED OUT VERY HIGH . . . WE WERE IN A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN WHEN WE HIT THE TREES . . .'  THE WINDS WERE LIGHT, BUT THE PASSENGER SAID, '. . . THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND WAS WITH OUR DIRECTION OF FLIGHT . . .'  ABOUT 15 MILES NORTH AT BURLINGTON, VT, THE WIND WAS FROM 280 DEG AT 6 KTS.  PERFORMANCE CHARTS SHOWED THAT (FOR PAVED RUNWAY), 2600 FT WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO CLEAR A 50 FT OBSTACLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8433C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8433C-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 28-7615108, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7615108
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walter A. Straub
- Registered owner: Walter A. Straub
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 9B3, Shelburne Airpark, runway 19, 2,500 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 120 total, 40 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTV, 15 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 19910525017249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910525017249A), May 25, 1991: Piper PA28151, Shelburne, VT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees on climbout from grass strip. Warm muggy day 2500 ft 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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