# NTSB NYC78FA092: Piper PA-32R, N3930F, Robbinsville, NJ, September 16, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 16, 1978
- Place: Robbinsville, NJ · ROBBINSVILLE, NJ
- Location: 40.2146° N, 74.6193° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Robbinsville, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2146&lon=-74.6193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC78FA092
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FA092

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3622  78/9/16    ROBBINSVILLE,NJ     PIPER PA-32R        CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0555                    N3930F              PX-  5  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 42, 1600 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            200 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TRENTON ROBINSVLE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ROBBINSVILLE,NJ             FIRST FLIGHT,NC
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
          PILOT-FAILED TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB.
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - FOG
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                              UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          FOG                                                      260
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           3                                                       IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- ACFT OVER G/W BY 71.9LBS AT TKOF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3930F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3930F-1981-05-07), registration cancelled 1981-05-07, S/N 32R-7680421, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Trenton Robinsvle

## 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 19780916043589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780916043589A), Sep 16, 1978: Piper PA32R300, Robbinsville, NJ, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Acft over g/w by 71.9LBS at tkof. Pilot-failed to main positive rate of climb.

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.

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