# NTSB NYC93FA076: Piper PA-28-235, N9349W, Oxford, MA, April 9, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1993, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Oxford, MA
- Location: 42.1159° N, 71.8701° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oxford, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1159&lon=-71.8701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93FA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93FA076

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF WHICH RESULTED IN NOT BEING ABLE TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED FOR CLIMBOUT. A FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND.

## 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 evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TAKING OFF WITH A TAILWIND. AFTER IT BECAME AIRBORNE, THE POWER WAS HEARD TO BE REDUCED, AND THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED ON THE RUNWAY AND RETURNED TO THE AIR. POWER WAS HEARD TO COME ON FULL AGAIN, AND THE TAKEOFF CONTINUED, WITH THE AIRPLANE DRIFTING LEFT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE HIGH PITCH ATTITUDE, AND CLIMBING SLOWLY. AS THE AIRPLANE PASSED OVER TREES, A WITNESS SAW THE TAIL STRIKE THE TOP OF SOME TREES AND THEN THE AIRPLANE PITCHED NOSE DOWN INTO THE TREES. THE WITNESS ALSO STATED THAT THE SOUTHERN WINDSOCK, NEAR WHERE THE PILOT INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF, WAS STEADY AT 3/4 FULL, AND OCCASIONALLY FULL. THE PILOT HAD EARLIER LANDED AT THE AIRPORT AROUND NOONTIME, AND THE LANDING WAS ALSO DOWNWIND WITH THE WINDS FROM THE SOUTH AT ABOUT 10 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9349W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9349W-1993-11-17), registration cancelled 1993-11-17, S/N 2811037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-11037
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James M. Banas
- Registered owner: James M. Banas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1992
- Departed: MA08
- Destination: BDR, BRIDGEPORT, CT
- Airport: MA08, Oxford, runway 2, 2,047 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total, 80 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORH, 7 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 19930409008909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930409008909A), Apr 9, 1993: Piper PA28235, Oxford, MA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Bounced, zig zagged on downwind takeoff. Lifted nose high. Dragged tail into trees on climbing nose high turnout.

## Other investigations on N9349W (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 FTW73DPJ05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DPJ05), Sep 23, 1972: Piper PA-28 (N9349W), Yukon, OK, 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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