# NTSB CHI86MA212: Piper PA-31-T1, N284MC, Montgomery, NY, August 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1986, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Montgomery, NY
- Coordinates: 41.520996, -74.230316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5210&lon=-74.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13540
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86MA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13540/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86MA212

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - visual lookout - not performed, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - flight control system - loss,partial (contributing factor)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

AFTER CANCELING HIS IFR FLIGHT PLAN, THE PA-31 PILOT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 26 ON A CROSSWIND LEG. HE DID NOT SEE ANY TRAFFIC ON DOWNWIND AS HE ENTERED THE PATTERN. HE VISUALLY CLEARED THE AREA BELOW AND TO HIS RIGHT WHILE ON DOWNWIND AND AS HE LOOKED UP AND FORWARD HE SAW THE CESSNA 152 IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CESSNA WAS ALSO ON THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 26. THE PA-31 PILOT, UPON SEEING THE CESSNA, PULLED UP AND TO THE RIGHT, BUT THE LEFT LANDING GEAR AND UNDERSIDE OF HIS AIRCRAFT DESTROYED THE EMPENNAGE OF THE CESSNA WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PA-31 PILOT WAS ABLE TO LAND HIS AIRCRAFT, BUT THE LEFT GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: N284MC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-T1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1104012
- Airframe hours: 265
- Engines: P&W PT6R-11 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Piper Aircraft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 25, 1985, 70 hours before
- Departed: ROC, ROCHESTER, NY
- Destination: MGJ, MONTGOMERY, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MGJ, Orange County, runway 21, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N4845B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4845B-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 15283669, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283669
- Airframe hours: 2527
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aurora Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1986, 60 hours before
- Airport: MGJ, Orange County, runway 26, 4,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N284MC; age 32; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,373 total, 285 in this make and model, 7,206 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N4845B; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 389 total, 258 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SWF, 8 nm away

## 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 19860829043091A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860829043091A), Aug 29, 1986: Piper PA31T1, Montgomery, NY, Substantial damage. On downwind overtook aircraft alson downwind. Pulled up to avoid. Gear hit and destroyed planes tail. Crashed.
- [Accident 19860829043092A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860829043092A), Aug 29, 1986: Cessna 152, Montgomery, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On downwind was overtaken and struck by planes gear as it tried to avoid impac. Tail destroyed. Crashed.

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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