# NTSB NYC93LA036: Piper PA-32RT-301T, N3017P, Jaffrey, NH, December 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1992, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Jaffrey, NH
- Location: 42.8051° N, 72.0030° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at JAFFREY AIRFIELD SILVER RANCH (AFN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8051&lon=-72.0030&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37272
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37272/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA036

## Probable cause

AN IMPROPER WELD BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WHICH RESULTED IN THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSING, AND A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ravine

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE SWERVED UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE LEFT, DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED A FRACTURE OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR STRUT WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE ENGINE MOUNT.  THE NOSE LANDING GEAR PARTIALLY COLLAPSED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT POSSIBLE.  THE FRACTURE AREA HAD BEEN WELDED AS PART OF REPAIR TO THE ENGINE MOUNT DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. ACCORDING TO A NTSB METALLURGICAL REPORT ABOUT THE WELD, '...EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE REVEALED NUMEROUS WELD DEFECTS SUCH AS POOR FUSION, EXCESSIVE POROSITY AND VOIDS....'  IN ADDITION, THE METAL IN THE WELD AREA WAS FOUND TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY SOFTER THAN THE SURROUNDING METAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3017P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3017P-1993-01-19), registration cancelled 1993-01-19, S/N 32R7987103 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-301T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7987103
- Airframe hours: 1132
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carl T. Matuszko
- Registered owner: Carl T. Matuszko
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1992, 32 hours before
- Departed: AFN
- Destination: 7B2, NORTHAMPTON, MA
- Airport: AFN, Jaffrey Municipal, runway 34, 2,982 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 549 total, 216 in this make and model, 497 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °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 19921206049279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921206049279A), Dec 6, 1992: Piper PA32RT300T, Jaffrey, NH, Substantial damage. Veered off runway on takeoff. Ran down embankment. Nosed over. Nose gear strut had failed due bad attach weld.

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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