# NTSB BFO87LA028: Piper PA-23-250, N5216Y, Dover, DE, March 29, 1987 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 29, 1987, 15:17 local (20:17 UTC) - Place: Dover, DE - Coordinates: 39.157365, -75.524198 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1574&lon=-75.5242&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1989 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 11312 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11312/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA028 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, climb - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE ROCKWELL WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT 2800 FT AND THE PIPER WAS CLIMBING WHEN MIDAIR COLLISION OCCURRED. NEITHER ACFT WAS OPERATING UNDER ATC. NEITHER PLT SAW THE OTR ACFT BEFORE THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE BOTTOM OF THE ROCKWELL CABIN AND THE LEFT TIPTANK OF THE PIPER COLLIDED. THE COLLISION ANGLE BETWEEN THE ACFT WAS 60 DEGREES. THE ROCKWELL PILOT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED TO HIS INTENDED DESTINATION. THE LEFT TIP TANK OF THE PIPER SEPARATED FROM THE WING. THE PIPER PILOT, AS A PRECAUTION, SHUT DOWN THE LEFT ENGINE AND THEN DIVERTED THE FLIGHT TO A NEARBY AIRPORT AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE ROCKWELL WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT 2800 FT AND THE PIPER WAS CLIMBING WHEN MIDAIR COLLISION OCCURRED. NEITHER ACFT WAS OPERATING UNDER ATC. NEITHER PLT SAW THE OTR AIRCRAFT BEFORE THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE BOTTOM OF THE ROCKWELL CABIN AND THE LEFT TIPTANK OF THE PIPER COLLIDED. THE COLLISION ANGLE BETWEEN THE ACFT WAS 60 DEGREES. THE ROCKWELL PILOT WAS ABLE TO PROCEED TO HIS INTENDED DESTINATION. THE LEFT TIP TANK OF THE PIPER SEPARATED FROM THE WING. THE PIPER PILOT, AS A PRECAUTION, SHUT DOWN THE LEFT ENGINE AND THEN DIVERTED THE FLIGHT TO A NEARBY AIRPORT AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N5216Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5216Y), registered now, S/N 27-2264, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-2264 - Airframe hours: 3346 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1DS 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: John Houyoux - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SBY, SALISBURY, MD - Destination: MRB, MARTINSBURG, WV ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N1374J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1374J), registered now, S/N 374, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 112A - Registry model: [Rockwell International 112A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112a) (registry code 7630302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 374 - Airframe hours: 1503 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert H. Brown - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1987 - Departed: GED, GEORGETOWN, DE - Destination: THV, YORK, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N5216Y; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,918 total, 269 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N1374J; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,416 total, 1,487 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DOV ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19870329079472A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870329079472A), Mar 29, 1987: Piper PA23250, Dover, DE, Substantial damage. Struck from behind by N1347J in a mid air collision at 3000 feet. Both pilots stated they were hit from behind. - [Accident 19870329079471A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870329079471A), Mar 29, 1987: Gulstm 112A, Dover, DE, Minor damage. Mid air collision with N5216Y. Pilot states that he was being overtaken from behind. 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.