# NTSB ATL86FA126: Piper PA-28-180, N999HT, Ludlow, PA, May 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1986, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Ludlow, PA
- Coordinates: 41.730026, -78.950401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7300&lon=-78.9504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA126

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - daylight
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - motivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - motivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AN ACFT FITTING THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACDT ACFT WAS OBSERVED ENTERING THE LAKE ARM ABOUT 7 1/2 MI N OF THE ACDT SITE. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO PULL UP TO CLEAR PWR LINES ACROSS THE LAKE ARM ABOUT 2 1/2 MI N OF THE ACDT SITE. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO FLY INTO THE UNMARKED ELECTRICAL LINES ACROSS THE LAKE, FALL OR DIVE INTO THE WATER AND SINK. THE PILOT WAS FROM THE LOCAL AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N999HT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7405173
- Airframe hours: 747
- Engines: LYCOMING O-2360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Herzog Brothers,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1986, 2 hours before
- Departed: UNKNOWN
- Destination: .FD, BRADFORD, PA
- Airport: BFD, Bradford

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 383 total, 383 in this make and model, 312 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFD, 11 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 19860510016669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860510016669A), May 10, 1986: Piper PA28180, Bradford, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flying low over lake. Pulled up to miss powerline. Struck same and fell into lake. Aircraft sank.

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.

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