# NTSB NYC95LA236: Piper PA-28-180C, N9235J, Nunda, NY, October 30, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 30, 1994, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Nunda, NY - Coordinates: 42.580463, -77.930915 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5805&lon=-77.9309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39060 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39060/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA236 ## Probable cause the pilot-in-command's failure to assure that an adequate runway length was available. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The instructor, student pilot and two passengers boarded the airplane. The instructor elected to depart the 1500-foot grass strip with a 50-foot tree line at the departure end. The student pilot made the takeoff. During the takeoff, the airplane did not climb out of ground effect, and the instructor aborted the takeoff with the tree line approaching rapidly. The airplane collided with the ground during the aborted takeoff. According to the Pilot Operating Handbook, a minimum takeoff distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle on a paved, level, dry runway is 1625 feet. ## Factual narrative On October 30, 1994, about 1400 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180C, N9235J, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during an aborted takeoff from a private strip near Nunda, New York. The flight instructor, dual student, and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight, and there was no flight plan for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector stated: Instructor pilot elected to takeoff from 1500 foot grass strip with 35 [to] 50 foot treeline at the [departure] end. Student pilot (weight: approximately 210 pounds) was allowed to make the takeoff. His two daughters (approximately 90 pounds each) were in the back seat. Airplane got airborne, but never got out of ground effect. Instructor aborted takeoff with treeline rapidly approaching. Controlled collision with a mound resulted in substantial damage to airplane. No injuries. Instructor never reported accident to NTSB. Reexamination of instructor also scheduled. According to the pilot operating handbook, a minimum takeoff distance to clear a 50 foot obstacle on a paved, level, dry runway was 1625 feet. Additionally, the pilot was requested to complete a NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report. No such form was received. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9235J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9235J-2013-01-29), registration cancelled 2013-01-29, S/N 28-3308, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180C - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-3308 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Raymond J. Marshall - Registered owner: Sussex Airport Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 3,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 19941030048879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941030048879A), Oct 30, 1994: Piper PA28180, Nunda, NY, Substantial damage. Tried to depart short strip full load high trees. Unable leave ground effect. Aborted. Ran off end struck berm. ## Other investigations on N9235J (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 NYC05CA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA065), Mar 30, 2005: Piper PA-28-180 (N9235J), Sussex, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to insure adequate obstacle clearance while conducting a practice forced landing approach, and the flight instructor's failure to take remedial action, which resulted in an… 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.