# NTSB ERA16CA105: Piper PA34, N234NC, Williamsport, PA, February 9, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 9, 2016, 06:15 local (11:15 UTC) - Place: Williamsport, PA - Coordinates: 41.241664, -76.921943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2417&lon=-76.9219&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92702 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92702/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92702 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain altitude in cruise flight due to his diverted attention, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a cross-country flight at night, he was attempting to deviate due to deteriorating weather. During which, he failed to maintain terrain clearance and the airplane contacted the top of a tree. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane uneventfully at an airport about 23 miles away from where the tree contact was made. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the wings and windshield. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during a cross-country flight at night, he was attempting to deviate due to deteriorating weather. During which, he failed to maintain terrain clearance and the airplane contacted the top of a tree. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane uneventfully at an airport about 23 miles away from where the tree contact was made. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the wings and windshield. The inspector did not observe any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N234NC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N234NC), registered now, S/N 34-7350146, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA34 (200) - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7350146 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 4463 - Engines: LYCOMING LIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: New Century Air Service - Registered owner: Ial Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 2015, 63 hours before - Departed: TSO, Carrolton, OH - Destination: BDL, Windsor Locks, CT - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 26,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 26,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 70° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.56 inHg - Icing: Rime - Observed at: IPT, 23 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 20160209001129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160209001129A), Feb 9, 2016: Piper PA-34-200, Montoursville, PA, Substantial damage. Airman was flying night VFR over mountainous terrain at 1500' AGL. Airman failed to maintain altitude. Aircraft received substantial damage when it descended… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 23, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92702. 817 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 434 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436904&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436905&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436907&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.