# NTSB BFO93LA036: Piper PA-18-135, N1554P, Boonville, NY, February 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1993, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Boonville, NY
- Coordinates: 43.110771, -75.269577 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1108&lon=-75.2696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND ENCOUNTERED A STALL. THE WINDSHEAR WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent
- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB OUT FROM A PRIVATE POND, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED WINDS ABOUT TREE TOP LEVEL.  THE PILOT STATED THAT LIFT DIMINISHED RESULTING IN A DECREASE IN AIRSPEED.  HE STATED HE DID NOT HAVE THE AIRSPEED OR ALTITUDE TO RECOVER, SO HE LOWERED THE FLAPS AND SETTLED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE TREE TOPS.  THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED THROUGH THE TREES UNTIL IT CONTACTED THE GROUND.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EXITED THE AIRPLANE SAFELY WITH NO INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1554P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1554P), registered now, S/N 18-3709, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18A-18-3709
- Airframe hours: 3317
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D-135 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carbone Auto Lease, Inc.
- Registered owner: Carbone Auto Lease, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1992, 63 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 322 total, 53 in this make and model, 238 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 70 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 19930228004109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930228004109A), Feb 28, 1993: Piper PA18135, Boonville, NY, Substantial damage. Took off from frozen pond on skis. Encountered downdraft. Unable clear trees. Settled into trees. Fell to ground.

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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