# NTSB NYC98LA033: Piper PA-32-300, N2202U, Johnstown, PA, November 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 25, 1997, 22:10 local (Nov 26, 1997, 03:10 UTC) - Place: Johnstown, PA - Coordinates: 40.289611, -78.970314 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2896&lon=-78.9703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39506 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39506/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA033 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain direction control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to this accident were: the crosswind condition, and snowbank. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll on runway 23, he felt what seemed like 'a hand shove the plane left.' The airplane departed the left side of the runway onto an intersecting taxiway. The airplane was returning to the runway when it impacted a snowbank which was located on the intersecting taxiway and extended 2 feet onto runway 23. The Airport Daily Inspection Report, listed the condition of the airport surface areas, and snowbanks as 'O.K.' A weather observation taken after the accident reported the wind from 260 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 24 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 25, 1997, about 2210 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N2202U, was substantially damaged during the takeoff roll at the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport (JST), Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight which was destined for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that during the takeoff roll on runway 23, he felt what seemed like "a hand shove the plane left." He continued to drift left despite using full right rudder, and full right aileron. The airplane departed the left side of the runway onto an intersecting taxiway, then returned to runway 23. The pilot said he was on the left side of runway 23, returning to the centerline, when the airplane struck a snow drift. The pilot further stated, he checked the wind about 10 minutes before his departure, and the wind was from about 280 degrees at 10 knots. Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed a 1.5 foot high snowbank located on taxiway "B," extending onto runway 23 about 2 feet. The snowbank had an impression on it with paint and fiberglass chips from the airplane's left main landing gear fairing. Approximately 3 feet to the right of the impression, near the outside edge of the snowbank, was a smaller impression where the nose gear impacted. Propeller marks were found approximately 20 feet from the snowbank and continued for 30 feet. The aircraft came to rest approximately 300 feet from the snowbank off the left side of runway. A review of the Airport Daily Inspection Report, Snow and Ice Section, for the morning of the accident revealed a "check mark" which indicated an "O.K." condition in the areas of "surface conditions," and "snowbanks." In a telephone interview the Field Maintenance Supervisor for JST stated, snowbanks of 12 inches or higher on taxiways would indicate an "unsatisfactory" condition and any size snowbank on a runway would be considered "unsatisfactory." He also stated, the Airport Daily Inspection Report was completed on the morning of the accident; he did acknowledge it had been more than 24 hours since there was any recorded snowfall at the airport. A weather observation taken after the accident reported the wind from 260 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 24 knots ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2202U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2202U), registered now, S/N 32-7940061, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 327940061 - Airframe hours: 3016 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard G. Mckinley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1997, 94 hours before - Departed: JST - Destination: PHL, PHILADELPHIA, PA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: JST, Johnstown-Cambria, runway 23, 4,507 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 592 total, 525 in this make and model, 512 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 260° at 17 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: JST ## 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 19971125047009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971125047009A), Nov 25, 1997: Piper PA32300, Johnstown, PA, Substantial damage. (-16) During takeoff roll, aircraft encountered a strong crosswind pushing it onto the left side of the runway and onto the crossing runway. While the pilot… 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.