# NTSB NYC05FA086: Piper PA-28-140, N217AW, Edinburg, OH, May 22, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: May 22, 2005, 13:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Edinburg, OH - Coordinates: 41.113334, -81.150558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1133&lon=-81.1506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: New Piper Aircraft, Textron Lycoming Engines, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61538 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05FA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61538/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05FA086 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The student pilot was en route to the destination airport to take his private pilot practical examination. Witnesses observed the airplane flying level, and then "appear to turn around" just prior to entering a nose-down attitude, and impacting terrain. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies. The pilot had accumulated 51 hours of total flight experience in the 7 months prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 22, 2005, at 1335 eastern daylight time, N217AW, a Piper PA-28-140, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain in Edinburg, Ohio. The certificated student pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at the Akron Fulton International Airport (AKR), Akron, Ohio, at approximately 1315, destined for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG), Youngstown, Ohio. The solo instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the flight school who operated the airplane, the student pilot was enroute to Youngstown (37 nautical miles away) to meet a designated examiner to take his private pilot practical examination. A witness observed the airplane from his porch, flying eastbound, when it "appeared to be turning around." The airplane then entered a "spiraling nose dive," and impacted the ground "nose first." A second witness observed the airplane flying "too slow" and "very low." The airplane was flying level, "barely over the tree tops," when the left wing "dipped down to the six o'clock position for a few seconds." The nose of the airplane then also "dipped down," and the airplane descended behind a tree line. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot's most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical, and student pilot certificate, was issued on October 1, 2004, with no restrictions. Examination of the pilot's logbook revealed entries from October 29, 2004 to May 19, 2005. During this time, the pilot accumulated 51 hours of total flight experience. Additionally, the pilot had an endorsement from his flight instructor for the flight from AKR to YNG, on the day of the accident. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Examination of the airplane maintenance records revealed the most recent 100-hour inspection was performed on May 19, 2005, with no anomalies noted. The airplane had flown about 6 hours since the 100-hour inspection. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The weather reported at AKR, approximately 10 miles west of the accident site, at 1354, included wind from 320 degrees at 11 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 72 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter setting of 29.80 inches Hg. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane came to rest in a field in a 90-degree nose-down attitude, oriented on an approximate heading of 165 degrees. All major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. Both wings remained attached to the fuselage, and were compressed aft to their wing spars. Both fuel tanks were compromised, and both the flaps and ailerons remained attached to the wings. The vertical stabilizer assembly was separated from the fuselage, at its attachment point; however, it remained connected by the rudder and trim control cables. The rudder remained attached to the vertical stabilizer and was undamaged. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the control surfaces to the forward cockpit compressed area. A measurement of the flap actuator revealed the flaps were in the retracted position. The engine and propeller were buried in the ground, and the forward cockpit area, including the instrument panel and control column, were compressed aft into the front seats. Examination of the forward cockpit area revealed the airspeed indicator read approximately 25 knots, and the vertical speed indicator displayed a descent of approximately 3,000 fpm. The throttle and mixture controls were in the ¾ full forward position; however, the control column was impact damaged. The engine and propeller were recovered from the ground and further examined. One propeller blade was bent aft approximately 90 degrees and the other blade was bent aft approximately 45 degrees. Both blades displayed slight chordwise scratching. The engine was rotated by hand at the propeller hub, and thumb compression and valve train continuity was obtained on all cylinders. The top and bottom spark plugs were removed; their electrodes were intact and light gray in color. When rotated by hand, both magnetos produced spark at all ignition leads. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Portage County Coroner's Office performed an autopsy on the pilot on May 24, 2005. The FAA Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma conducted toxicological testing on the pilot. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Fueling Information According to fuel receipts provided by personnel at AKR, the airplane was "topped off" just before the accident flight. Wreckage Release The wreckage was released to a representative of the owner's insurance company on February 15, 2006. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N217AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N217AW-2011-04-13), registration cancelled 2011-04-13, S/N 28-25046, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - 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: 28-25046 - Airframe hours: 767 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: American Winds Flight Academy - Registered owner: Hobart Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2005, 6 hours before - Departed: AKR, Akron, OH - Destination: YNG, Youngstown, OH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 34; injuries: fatal; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 51 total, 49 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: AKR, 10 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 20050522008929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050522008929A), May 22, 2005: Piper PA28140, Edmonds, OH, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (-23) Student pilot [privacy data omitted], N217AW, enroute from akr to yng was observed flying east east bound. Witness saw aircraft bank to the left and… 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.