# NTSB ERA17LA267: Piper PA28, N56884, Pittstown, NJ, August 6, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 2017, 22:30 local (Aug 6, 2017, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Pittstown, NJ - Coordinates: 40.407501, -74.96611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4075&lon=-74.9661&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA267 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95755/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95755 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA267 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper decision to conduct a night flight and his failure to maintain adequate altitude during the approach, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's lack of total and recent night flight experience. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 43 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 126 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: recent experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot owned the airplane and intended to conduct a 20-minute night, cross-country flight to a nearby airport for avionics installation. During a circling descent to the destination airport, the airplane collided with trees and terrain, which resulted in a postcrash fire. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The student had a total flight experience of 105 hours, of which 5 hours were at night. He had not flown during the 90-day period preceding the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 2017, about 2230 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N56884, owned and operated by the student pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees and terrain, while on approach to Sky Manor Airport (N40), Pittstown, New Jersey. The student pilot and one passenger were seriously injured, while a second passenger sustained minor injuries. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Blairstown Airport (1N7), Blairstown, New Jersey, about 2210.Due to his injuries, the student pilot did not recall the accident sequence. He reported a total flight experience of 105 hours, of which, 5 hours were at night. The student pilot had not flown during the 90-day period preceding the accident. The front seat passenger stated that he and the student pilot previously spoke several times about flying the airplane to N40 for required equipment (avionics) installation. The front seat passenger was also seriously injured and remembered only some of the accident sequence. He recalled the student pilot saying, "we are losing altitude, this is not good." The rear seat passenger sustained minor injuries and recalled that the student pilot stated they had to complete a 360° turn before landing. The student pilot then adjusted the wing flaps and the rear seat passenger saw a red blinking light, powerlines, and trees. The student pilot then stated that they needed to climb, but they were not climbing. The student pilot subsequently remarked that he thought he saw the problem and adjusted the wing flaps again. The rear seat passenger did not recall the impact. Review of radar data and air traffic control (ATC) communications provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), revealed that the airplane was at 3,500 feet mean sea level (msl) when the student pilot reported beginning a descent to ATC at 2224. The airplane flew a track consistent with an approximate 3-mile left base leg to final leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 7, at N40. While on final approach, the airplane descended from about 2,300 feet msl to 1,300 feet msl as it neared the runway threshold (which was at 548 feet msl). The airplane then completed a right 360° turn and the last radar target was recorded over the airport about 2230, indicating a groundspeed of 70 knots and an altitude of 1,000 feet msl. The wreckage was located about 1/2-mile beyond the departure end of runway 7 and had been partially consumed by a postcrash fire. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The inspector was able to rotate the crankshaft by hand and confirm camshaft, crankshaft, and valve train continuity to the rear accessory section of the engine. He also attained thumb compression on all four cylinders. The inspector added that thepassengers were not certificated pilots. The student pilot's flight instructor reported that the student pilot attempted to schedule a lesson for August 4, 2017, to gain proficiency; however, the flight instructor already had a commitment. The student pilot then scheduled the flight instructor for August 10, 2017. The flight instructor added that he last provided ground instruction to the student pilot on February 18, 2017, and the student pilot subsequently completed a solo cross-country flight uneventfully during the same day. The recorded weather at an airport located about 12 miles east of the accident site, at 2253, included calm wind, clear sky and visibility 10 miles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56884](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56884-2017-12-08), registration cancelled 2017-12-08, S/N 28-7425057, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (140) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7425057 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 3791 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 2016 - Departed: 1N7, Blairstown, NJ - Destination: N40, Pittstown, NJ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: N40, Sky Manor, runway 7, 2,900 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 105 total, 105 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: SMQ, 12 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 20170805012799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170805012799A), Aug 5, 2017: Piper PA-28-140, Pittstown, NJ, Destroyed. The student pilot departed on a night flight with two passengers. The rear seated passenger was the only person having a recolecton of the accident. She stated… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95755. 19.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468419&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Passenger Statements (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468420&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statements-Master.PDF - Interview Summaries (item 3, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468421&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Flight Instructor Statement (item 4, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468422&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-Master.PDF - Excerpt From FAA Radar Playback (4 min, 15MB, MP4) (item 5, MP4, 15.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468423&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Excerpt%20From%20FAA%20Radar%20Playback%20(4%20min,%2015MB,%20MP4)-Master - Map of Accident Site (item 6, .PDF, 277 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 7, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468425&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.