# NTSB NYC91LA168: Piper PA-22-150, N7315D, Tunkhannock, PA, July 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1991, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Tunkhannock, PA
- Coordinates: 41.530757, -75.939567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5308&lon=-75.9396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA168

## Probable cause

IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL ON TAKEOFF WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY SET THE ELEVATOR TRIM PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRPLANE.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - elevator trim - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - elevator - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PILOT FAILED TO DETECT THE ELEVATOR TRIM WAS SET FOR NOSE UP AND ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO BECOME AIRBORNE PREMATURELY AND STALL. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE AND CAME TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7315D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7315D), registered now, S/N 22-5103, built 1957 (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: 22-5103
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Skyhaven Airport, Inc.
- Registered owner: Skyhaven Airport, Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: 76N, Skyhaven, runway 19, 1,975 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 62 total, 12 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 7 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F

## 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 19910704025959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910704025959A), Jul 4, 1991: Piper PA22150, Tunkhannock, PA, Substantial damage. Failed reset back trim for takeoff with back seat load. Nose high premature takeoff. Stalled. No full load training

## Other investigations on N7315D (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA85FLD02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FLD02), May 12, 1985: Piper PA-22-150 (N7315D), Fort Pierce, FL, substantial damage

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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