Casualties unknown

Aircraft crashes shortly after takeoff following steep climb and nose-down attitude (N783L)

Collegeville, PA, US

On June 12, 1983, a Piper PA-18A-150 (registration N783L) was involved in an aviation accident near Collegeville, PA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft departed on a short roll, climbed at a steep angle, then pitched down and crashed. No mechanical failures were found during inspection.

What happened

During the takeoff phase of flight, the aircraft was observed departing from the runway after a relatively short ground roll. A witness on the ground estimated that the takeoff roll covered approximately 400 feet before the aircraft lifted off and entered a steep climb. The observer noted that the aircraft climbed at an angle of approximately 35 degrees.

After reaching an altitude estimated between 200 and 300 feet, the aircraft's flight path changed abruptly. It entered a steep nose-down attitude and subsequently crashed into the ground. There were no further details regarding the specific location of the crash site or the condition of the wreckage beyond the initial observation.

The investigation

Following the accident, an inspection of the airframe and the engine was conducted to determine if mechanical issues contributed to the event. Investigators examined the aircraft components for signs of pre-impact failure.

The inspection revealed that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures verified in either the aircraft structure or the engine. The absence of mechanical defects suggests that the accident was not caused by a system failure prior to impact.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X43480. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.