# NTSB NYC93LA131: Piper PA-32, N3490W, Spencer, MA, June 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1993, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Spencer, MA
- Location: 42.3782° N, 71.0886° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CHAMBERS (MA10), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3782&lon=-71.0886&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38615
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38615/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA131

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING FOR THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE DEPARTURE AND THE DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, WITH INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH TREES

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DEPARTING ON A RETURN CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WITH THREE PASSENGERS, BAGGAGE AND FULL FUEL.  DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, JUST BEYOND THE HALF WAY POINT OF THE 1930 FOOT RUNWAY, THE PILOT WAS UNSURE THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.  APPROXIMATELY THREE QUARTERS OF WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT PULLED OFF THE POWER AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF.  THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED TREES.  THE AIRPORT ELEVATION WAS 1040 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL AND THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK THE DISTANCE REQUIRED FOR THIS TAKEOFF TO CLEAR A 50 FOOT OBSTACLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1900 FEET

## Factual narrative

On Monday, June 28, 1993, at about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 32 260, N3490W, owned and piloted by Thomas Worthington, of Furlong, Pennsylvania, overran the end of the runway during an aborted takeoff from the Spencer Airport, Spencer, Massachusetts.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot and two passengers were not injured, a third passenger received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane had only accelerated to approximately 50 miles per hour, after using half of the 1,950 foot runway.  The pilot was unsure that the airplane could clear trees at the end of the runway and elected to abort the takeoff.  The airplane overran the end of the runway, decelerated in light brush and impacted heavy brush.

The airplane was departing with four occupants, full fuel and several pieces of luggage.  The airport elevation was 1050 feet above mean sea level and the outside air temperature was approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3490W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3490W-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N 32-369, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-369
- Airframe hours: 2930
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Worthington
- Registered owner: Thomas Worthington
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1993, 35 hours before
- Departed: MA10
- Destination: N88, DOYLESTOWN, PA
- Airport: MA10, Spencer, runway 19, 1,930 × 50 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 496 total, 47 in this make and model, 496 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19930628020819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930628020819A), Jun 28, 1993: Piper PA32260, Spencer, MA, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff 2/3RDS down runway due unable to clear trees. Needed all of short runway to clear. Hit trees.

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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