# NTSB NYC03FA082: Piper PA-28-180, N8985J, Conesus, NY, April 12, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 12, 2003, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Conesus, NY - Coordinates: 42.68111, -77.615837 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6811&lon=-77.6158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Rochester FSDO, Textron Lycoming, New Piper Aircraft - NTSB case key (mKey): 56798 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03FA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56798/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03FA082 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent spin. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall - initiated, pilot in command(cfi) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane was operated by a local flying club, and the pilot was being evaluated by an instructor to be authorized to utilize the airplane. Two of the maneuvers planned were "power on" and "power off" stalls. Seconds before the accident, engine noise increased, and the airplane pitched up. The pitch up stopped, and the left wing dropped. The airplane then rolled inverted and completed several revolutions before impacting trees. The instructor had a total flight experience of 1,097 hours, and received spin training in the previous 2 years. Examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 12, 2003, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8985J, was destroyed when it impacted trees near Conesus, New York. The certificated flight instructor, private pilot receiving instruction, and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight that departed the Dansville Municipal Airport (DSV), Dansville New York, about 1515. A flight plan was not filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a witness, the airplane was operated by a local flying club, and the pilot was being evaluated by the instructor in order to be authorized to utilize the airplane. Two of the maneuvers planned for the flight were "power on" and "power off" stalls. In addition, the passenger had completed a similar evaluation earlier in the afternoon with a different instructor, and had gone on the accident flight for additional familiarization. According to a witness that was outside and within 1/2 mile of the accident site, the engine noise increased, and the airplane pitched up to the point that the witness thought the pilot was attempting a loop. The pitch up stopped, and the left wing dropped. The airplane rolled inverted and completed five "spirals," before impacting the ground. The witness added that he heard the engine "completely stop" about the third "spiral." A review of radar data revealed a target near the accident site about the time of the accident. The target was maintaining a constant altitude of 3,400 feet msl, a constant groundspeed of 100 knots, and heading 170 degrees magnetic before starting to slow and descend. The first target deviation was a return at 3,300 feet msl, and 80 knots, with no heading data. The second was at 2,600 feet msl, and the third was at 1,800 feet msl. The time between returns was approximately 5 seconds, and no ground speed or heading data was recorded for the last two returns. The accident occurred during the hours of daylight. The wreckage was located at 42 degrees, 40.871 minutes north latitude, 77 degrees, 36.945 minutes west longitude, and an elevation of approximately 1,875 feet msl. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Flight Instructor The instructor held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine-land, multi-engine-land, and instrument airplane. He also held flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine-land, multi-engine-land, and instrument airplane. On his last FAA first-class medical certificate, dated July 18, 2002, he reported a total flight experience of 815 hours. A review of the instructor's logbook revealed the last entry was on March 29, 2003, and listed a total flight experience of 1,097 hours. He had 45.8 hours in make and model. The pilot logged 30.7 hours in the previous 30 days from the last entry, and 89.1 hours in the previous 90 days. He conducted 1 hour of spin recovery training in a Cessna 152 on June 4, 2000, and 1 hour on September 13, 2000. His last flight review was completed on February 20, 2002, when he completed a multi-engine land instructor flight evaluation in a Piper PA-34. Pilot Receiving Instruction The pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine-land rating. On his last FAA second-class medical certificate, dated January 25, 2002, he reported a total flight experience of 100 hours. According to the pilot's logbook, he had a total flight experience of 146 hours as of February 15, 2003. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was manufactured in 1966. It was equipped with a 180-horsepower Lycoming IO-360-A3A engine, and a fixed pitch propeller. According to maintenance records, since the last annual inspection, which was completed on March 28, 2003, the airplane flew 15.06 hours, and in the 8 years proceeding the accident, the airplane flew a total of 30.82 hours. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION A weather observation was taken about 6 minutes before the accident at the Dansville Airport. The airport had a field elevation of 662 feet msl, and was located 10 miles to the south of the accident site. The observation recorded the wind as 330 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 20 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 54 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 34 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.83 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The debris path was located in a wooded area. It was approximately 110 feet long, and orientated on a magnetic heading of 191 degrees. The start of the debris path was marked by freshly broken tree branches at the top of several trees that were approximately 55 feet in height. The down angle from the start of the debris path to the main wreckage was approximately 30 degrees. Within the debris path, all the major structural components for the airplane were identified, along with all the flight control surfaces. All the fracture surfaces for both wings and tail section were gray in color and consistent with overload. Also in the debris path was a section of wood that was approximately 6 inches in diameter, and displayed a cut mark along its vertical axis that was approximately 1-foot long, 4 inches wide, and 1 inch deep. About 3 inches from the top of the cut was red transfer paint consistent in color and width with a red stripe painted on the tip of both propeller blades. The main wreckage was comprised of the engine, cockpit, cabin, and empennage. The engine and forward section of the cockpit came to rest upside down, and the cabin, along with the empennage, came to rest upright. The carry through spar, along with both wings had separated from the main wreckage and were fragmented. The horizontal stabilator and vertical stabilizer were separated from the empennage and fragmented. Aileron and stabilator control continuity was confirmed from the control surfaces to the control column, but not to the individual pilot controls because of impact damage. The left aileron balance weight was separated from the aileron, the rivet holes were elongated, and the weight was not recovered. The right aileron balance weight was attached to the right aileron, and the stabilator balance weight was in place. Rudder control continuity was confirmed from the rudder to the left and right rudder cable attachment arms. The left rudder cable attachment arm was separated from the rudder bar assembly at the attachment weld. The right rudder cable attachment arm was separated from the rudder bar assembly about 1/4 inch from the attachment weld. The fracture surface was gray in color, and had a 45-degree shear lip. Rudder trim position was undetermined because of impact damage, and elevator trim was approximately full nose down. Continuity of both trim systems was confirmed to the cockpit area, but not to the associated trim wheels because of impact damage. The flap handle was up, but flap position could not be determined because of impact damage. The left and right fuel tanks were compromised. The left wing fuel tank plumbing was intact, the fuel screen was connected, and absent of debris. The right wing fuel tank plumbing was also intact, the fuel screen was connected, and absent of debris. Continuity from both fuel tanks to the fuel selector could not be confirmed because of impact damage. Continuity from the fuel selector to the electric driven fuel pump, and the engine driven fuel pump was confirmed. Continuity was also confirmed from both pumps to the carburetor. The fuel selector was in the right tank position. The left inflow line was removed, and no fuel was identified. The right inflow line was removed and approximately 1/2 ounce of fuel was observed. The engine feed line was then removed and another 1/2 ounce of fuel was observed. With both observations, the fuel was bluish in color, and no contaminates were identified. To test ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8985J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8985J-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 28-3008, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-3008 - Airframe hours: 2162 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dansville Flying Club, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 2003, 16 hours before - Departed: DSV, Dansville, NY - Destination: DSV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 22; injuries: fatal; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 20, 2002; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,097 total, 1,005 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 58; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 28, 2002; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 146 total, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: DSV, 8 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 20030412011269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030412011269A), Apr 12, 2003: Piper PA28180, Conesus, NY, Destroyed, 3 fatal. (-23) On Saturday, April 12, 2002 at 1600 EDT, a Piper PA-28-180, N8985J, collided with terrain in a wooded area near Conesus, NY. The flight was conducted… 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.