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NTSB Report
June 6, 1984 · Piper PA-30 · N8205Y
Berrien Springs, MI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 6, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Berrien Springs, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-30
Tail Number
N8205Y
Operator
Thorvald W Christiansen
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI84LA219
THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE SEQUENCE BEGAN WHEN THE PLT NOTICIED THAT ACFT ACCELERATION WAS 'A BIT SLOW' ON THE RWY. THEN A NOTICABLE DROP IN RPM ON THE RIGHT ENGINE OCCURRED AT ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE 3100 FT RWY. THE PLT DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT RATHER THEN ABORT. AFTER THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE A TURN TO THE RIGHT BEGAN IN SPITE OF THE PLTS ATTEMPTS TO FLY STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE ACFT DID NOT ATTAIN VMCA (80 KTS), IMPACTED THE GROUND AT A SHALLOW ANGLE AND SLID 400 FT TO A STOP. THE STALL WARNING HORN WAS ON FOR THE LAST 900 FT OF THE FLT. NO REASON FOR THE LOSS OF RPM WAS FOUND EXCEPT POSSIBLY THE SPARK PLUGS WHICH SHOWED SIGNS OF SOOTING.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF NEAR THE END OF THE RWY. THE SEQUENCE BEGAN WHEN THE PLT NOTICIED THAT ACFT ACCELERATION WAS 'A BIT SLOW' ON THE RWY. THEN A NOTICABLE DROP IN RPM ON THE RIGHT ENGINE OCCURRED AT ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE 3100 FT RWY. THE PLT DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF ATTEMPT RATHER THEN ABORT. AFTER THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE A TURN TO THE RIGHT BEGAN IN SPITE OF THE PLTS ATTEMPTS TO FLY STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE ACFT DID NOT ATTAIN VMCA (80 KTS), IMPACTED THE GROUND AT A SHALLOW ANGLE AND SLID 400 FT TO A STOP. THE STALL WARNING HORN WAS ON FOR THE LAST 900 FT OF THE FLT. NO REASON FOR THE LOSS OF RPM WAS FOUND EXCEPT POSSIBLY THE SPARK PLUGS WHICH SHOWED SIGNS OF SOOTING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:14 EDT
Nearest AirportAndrews University (0nm N)
Runway31
Runway Length3100 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-30
Tail NumberN8205Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThorvald W Christiansen
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-C1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind7° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:40
Weather SourcePILO