Piper PA-28-180 accident near Pittstown, New Jersey, September 29, 1985
On September 29, 1985 at about 12:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N2335R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pittstown, New Jersey (Sky Manor Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 29, 1985 · about 12:45 pm local time
- Place
- Pittstown, New Jersey · Sky Manor Airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N2335R · registry record · serial 28-5493
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF ON A 2439 FT RWY, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO APPLY BACK ELEVATOR PRESSURE THUS THE ACFT WAS PREVENTED FROM BECOMING AIRBORNE. THE ACFT TRAVELED OFF THE END OF THE RWY WHERE IT CONTACTED A FENCE AND TREES. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THE RADIO WIRING HARNESS/PLUGS FELL DOWN IN FRONT OF THE CONTROL COLUMN SPROCKET ASS'Y THEREBY RESTRICTING THE CONTROL COLUMNS AFT MOVEMENT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 18,757 hours in all; 6,043 in this make and model; 247 in the last 90 days; 18,573 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,699 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 1985; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,175 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 2,439 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.