# NTSB NYC95LA230: Piper PA-28-161, N3203Q, Rutland, VT, September 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 29, 1995, 14:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Rutland, VT - Location: 43.6097° N, 72.9778° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rutland, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6097&lon=-72.9778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39057 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA230 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39057/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA230 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent collision with a tree and barn. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) - object - building(nonresidential) ## Analysis The pilot landed at Rutland, and the airplane was refueled prior to departure. The pilot departed runway 13. During takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot performed a forced landing, during which, the airplane impacted a tree and a barn. Witnesses reported that the engine sounded rough during takeoff and that the airplane would not climb. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction with the engine. Additionally, the airport fuel and airplane's fuel were sampled, and no discrepancies were noted. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 1995, about 1455 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N3203Q, collided with a tree during a forced landing, following the takeoff, at the Rutland Airport, Rutland, Vermont. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot landed at Rutland, and the airplane was refueled. The pilot then started the engine and taxied to runway 13 for departure. During the takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted a tree and barn. Additionally, witnesses reported that the engine sounded rough during the takeoff roll, and the airplane did not climb more than 10' above the ground during the initial takeoff climb. One witness stated: ...I heard what sounded like a four cylinder engine running on two or three cylinders. When the sound got closer, I saw that it was coming from an aircraft (Cherokee or similar) departing runway 13. At the departure end of the runway it was only a few feet above the ground and not climbing. It continued on runway heading for less than a mile when it went out of sight.... The FAA Inspector examined the fuel at the airport and in the airplane and found no discrepancies. Additionally, postaccident examination by the FAA Inspector revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction of the engine. At the time of the accident, the pilot had a total of 80 flight hours. The pilot was requested by the FAA and the NTSB to submit the NTSB Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report, form 6120.1/2. To this date, no such form has been received. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3203Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3203Q-1997-03-04), registration cancelled 1997-03-04, S/N 287716143 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7716143 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pierre Gourinchas - Registered owner: Mark A. Ridings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: BED, BEDFORD, MA - Airport: RUT, Rutland State, runway 13, 3,170 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RUT ## 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 19950929046999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950929046999A), Sep 29, 1995: Piper PA28161, Rutland, VT, Substantial damage. Rough engine on takeoff. Got no higher than 10 feet AGL. Collided with a tree. No anomalies found. Cause unknown. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.