# NTSB BFO92FA013: Piper PA-60-601P, N36362, North Salem, NY, December 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1991, 07:48 local (12:48 UTC)
- Place: North Salem, NY
- Coordinates: 41.330413, -73.589401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3304&lon=-73.5894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92FA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA013

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO A DISTRACTION CAUSED BY A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS ADVERSE WEATHER NEAR THE DESTINATION AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - snow (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A PERSONAL TRIP THAT HE HAD FLOWN MANY TIMES.  ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, ADDITIONAL FUEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  AS HE NEARED HIS DESTINATION, THE PILOT LEFT ONE OF HIS ENGINES IN A FUEL CROSSFEED CONFIGURATION CASUING A PARTIAL POWER LOSS.  THE AIRPLANE HAS THE CAPABILITY TO CLIMB AT MORE THAN 500 FEET PER MINUTE USING ONLY ONE ENGINE.  AFTER DECLARING HIS EMERGENCY TO THE CONTROL TOWER, RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING 90 DEGREES TO THE ILS FINAL APPROACH COURSE AT VERY LOW ALTITUDE BANKING SIDE TO SIDE. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A 70 DEGREE NOSE DOWN POSITION.  HEAVY SNOW HAD STARTED FALLING JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. A POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED MUCH OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36362](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36362-1992-11-17), registration cancelled 1992-11-17, S/N 61P07878063400 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-601P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 07878063400
- Airframe hours: 1624
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: English Aero Services, Inc
- Registered owner: English Aero Services, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1991, 5 hours before
- Departed: W63, CLARKSVILLE, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DXR, Danbury Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19911230057549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911230057549A), Dec 30, 1991: Piper PA60601P, Danbury, CT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Fuel unavailable at departure. Low fuel. Used crossfeed. Lost one engine. Lost control. Heavy snow. Weather below m

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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