# NTSB NYC97LA060: Piper PA-28-161, N2914A, Sanford, ME, March 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 1997, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Sanford, ME - Location: 43.3938° N, 70.7080° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SANFORD SEACOAST RGNL (SFM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3938&lon=-70.7080&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39332 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39332/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA060 ## Probable cause the pilot's premature raising of the flaps during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in a stall/mush. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment after lift-off, which allowed the airplane to settle in snow beside the runway as it mushed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) ## Analysis The aircraft went off the side of the runway and collided with a snow bank during an aborted takeoff. According to the pilot, 'my intention was to execute a touch-and-go landing. After touching down and upon applying full power for the subsequent takeoff, I noted that I had neglected to retract the flaps I had set for the landing (two notches or 25 degrees). I then retracted the flaps, and the aircraft began to settle, the controls becoming less responsive. I decided to abort the takeoff and brought the power setting to idle. The aircraft touched down once on the runway to the left of center, drifting leftward as it did so, became slightly airborne again, and finally came to rest upright in the snow a few feet off the runway.' The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction and he stated that the accident could have been prevented by 'using stop and go versus touch-and-go landing procedures.' ## Factual narrative On March 14, 1997, at 1145 eastern standard time, a Piper "Warrior" PA-28-161, N2914A, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during an aborted takeoff from the Sanford Regional Airport (SFM) in Sanford, Maine. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local instructional flight originated at 1120 and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot reported: "My intention was to execute a touch-and-go landing. After touching down and upon applying full power for the subsequent takeoff, I noted that I had neglected to retract the flaps I had set for the landing (two notches or 25 degrees). I then retracted the flaps, and the aircraft began to settle, the controls becoming less responsive. I decided to abort the takeoff and brought the power setting to idle. The aircraft touched down once on the runway to the left of center, drifting leftward as it did so, became slightly airborne again, and finally came to rest upright in the snow a few feet off the runway." The pilot has a total flight time of 16.5 hours. He did not report any mechanical deficiencies with the airplane prior to the accident. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by: "...Using stop-and-go versus touch-and-go procedures." A Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Inspector performed a post accident inspection of N2914A. She reported no pre-impact anomalies. The Inspector reported that both the firewall and engine mounts suffered substantial damage and that the left wing sustained dents to the leading edge, tip, aileron and flap. The left main gear was sheared off its mounting point. The Inspector stated: "Unfortunately the snow banks up here this time of year are ice banks, so the aircraft suffered more damage than you would usually see." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2914A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2914A), registered now, S/N 28-7916538, built 1979 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7916538 - Airframe hours: 1563 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sanford Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1997, 15 hours before - Departed: SFM - Destination: SFM - Airport: SFM, Sanford Regional, runway 32, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model, 4 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F - Observed at: SFM ## 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 19970314003289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970314003289A), Mar 14, 1997: Piper PA28161, Sanford, ME, Substantial damage. On go from touch noted flaps down. Dumped same. Settled. Aborted. Lost control into snowbank. Full stop better. 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.