# NTSB NYC98LA105: Piper PA-28-181, N4506Z, Bally, PA, April 29, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 29, 1998, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Bally, PA - Location: 40.3974° N, 75.5632° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BUTTER VALLEY GOLF PORT (7N8), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3974&lon=-75.5632&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39560 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39560/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA105 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll; and/or his failure to abort the takeoff, while there was sufficient space available to do so without hitting trees. ## 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 - short field takeoff/procedure - initiated, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to perform a short field takeoff. He set the trailing edge wing flaps at 25 degrees, and initiated the takeoff roll. He rotated at 50 knots, and when the airplane did not become airborne, he relaxed his right rudder, but did not reduce engine power. The airplane then departed the runway on the left side and struck trees. Later, the pilot stated that he should have maintained directional control by holding right rudder, closed the throttle, and used the brakes to stop the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 1998, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N4506Z, was destroyed when it struck trees while departing from the Butter Valley Golf Port Airport, Bally, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and was destined for Wings Field, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had prepared for a short field takeoff. He set the trailing edge wing flaps at 25 degrees, and applied full power. When the airspeed reached 50 knots, he pulled back on the control wheel, but the airplane did not leave the ground. He then released the right rudder and the airplane departed the runway on the left side, and struck trees. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the airplane continued across an open area after it departed the runway, and struck trees about 75 feet to the left of the runway. Both wings separated from the fuselage as it passed between trees. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated that he should have maintained directional control by holding right rudder, closed the throttle, and used the brakes to stop the airplane. According to FAA data, runway 34 was 2,420 feet long, with the first 1,535 feet of the runway paved with asphalt, and the remaining runway a turf surface. The asphalt portion of the runway was 24 feet wide. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane departed the side of the runway prior to reaching the end of the asphalt surface. According to the FAA records, the pilot received his private pilot certificate on December 17, 1997, with a total time of 131.1 hours, 52.5 hours as pilot-in-command, and 86.1 hours in the accident airplane. In addition, he had flown 5 hours in the preceding 90 days, and 3 hours in the preceding 30 days. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4506Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4506Z-1998-12-12), registration cancelled 1998-12-12, S/N 288090029 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8090029 - Airframe hours: 3808 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pennsylvania Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1998, 74 hours before - Departed: 7N8 - Destination: N67, BLUE BELL, PA - Airport: 7N8, Butter Valley, runway 34, 2,420 × 24 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 141 total, 86 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 14 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABE, 16 nm away ## 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 19980429011339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980429011339A), Apr 29, 1998: Piper PA28181, Bally, PA, Destroyed. Tried premature liftoff. Unable receased rudder. PA28 weather vaned into crosswind. Exited rwy into 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. --- 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.