# NTSB NYC93LA056: Piper PA-23-250, N40586, West Dover, VT, January 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1993, 21:35 local (Jan 29, 1993, 02:35 UTC)
- Place: West Dover, VT
- Location: 42.9271° N, 72.8657° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DEERFIELD VALLEY RGNL (4V8), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9271&lon=-72.8657&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37291/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA056

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF, AND HIS INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTIONS, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A SNOWBANK. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ICE COVERED RUNWAY AND THE SNOWBANK ALONG THE RUNWAY EDGES.

## 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
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STARTED THE TAKEOFF ROLL ON THE ICY RUNWAY.  HE SAID, 'AT APPROXIMATELY 70 KNOTS (AT ROTATION) THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO DRIFT LEFT AND BOTH STEERING AND RUDDER WERE INEFFECTIVE IN STOPPING THE DRIFT. THE LEFT PROPELLER STRUCK THE ICE BANK.'  THE AIRPLANE YAWED TO THE LEFT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR.  THE WIND WAS APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREES FROM THE RIGHT AT AN ESTIMATED 4 KNOTS.  THE EDGES OF THE RUNWAY HAD SNOW BANKS APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET HIGH.  AN EXAMINATION BY THE FAA OF THE AIRPLANE RUDDER AND BRAKING SYSTEMS FOUND NO DISCREPANCIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40586](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40586-1996-02-24), registration cancelled 1996-02-24, S/N 277405330 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7405330
- Airframe hours: 1857
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Block & Charter, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aviation Block & Charter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: 4V8
- Destination: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 4V8, Mount Snow, runway 19, 2,650 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 225° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 25 °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 19930128001109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930128001109A), Jan 28, 1993: Piper PA23250, West Dover, VT, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on patchy ice covered runway on takeoff. Struck ice bank on edge of 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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