# NTSB ERA25LA095: Piper PA-28-161, N9184Y, Newburyport, MA, January 10, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 10, 2025, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Newburyport, MA - Coordinates: 42, -70 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0000&lon=-70.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 199537 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/199537/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199537 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA095 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s delayed decision to initiate a go-around, which resulted in the airplane colliding with an obstacle during approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that the flight began normally, with the student pilot departing the airport for maneuvering practice. During the flight, the instructor initiated a simulated loss of engine power, and the student pilot selected a runway for an emergency landing based on wind conditions and location. As they approached the runway, they determined they were too high to land directly and initiated a 270-degree turn to intercept the final approach. During the approach, the student extended the flaps earlier than anticipated, which resulted in greater than expected deceleration. They then observed that an obstacle, a trailer located near the end of the runway, was higher than anticipated. As the airplane neared the obstacle, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and applied full power to execute a go-around; however, the airplane struck the top of the trailer, pitched downward, and subsequently impacted a fence before coming to rest. Both of the airplane’s wings were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The flight instructor and student pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9184Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9184Y-2025-03-01), registration cancelled 2025-03-01, S/N 28-8616017, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8616017 - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 23704 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 19, 2024, 11 hours before - Departed: BVY, Beverly, MA - Airport: 2B2, Plum Island Airport, runway 28, 2,105 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 10, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 291 total, 278 in this make and model, 219 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 8, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 874 total, 470 in this make and model, 816 as pilot in command, 97 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: KPVC, 11 nm away - METAR: METAR KPVC 102156Z AUTO 34012KT 10SM CLR 03/M06 A2975 RMK AO2 SLP073 T00281061 ## 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 20250110002939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250110002939A), Jan 10, 2025: Piper PA-28-161, Newbury, MA, Substantial damage. It was the instructor's first flight of the day, but second lesson as he was in the aatd earlier. They had done some maneuvers at 2,500 feet MSL and he… ## Other investigations on N9184Y (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA10LA446](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA446), Aug 27, 2010: Piper PA-28-161 (N9184Y), Beverly, MA, minor damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The flight instructor's decision to exit the airplane on the taxiway with the engine still operating, and his failure to avoid the rotating propeller. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199537. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 20 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18351403&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA095%20instru%20and%20student_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 719 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18351511&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20LA095-Rel.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.