# NTSB NYC79FA091: Piper PA-28, N159TA, Charlestown, NH, September 9, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 9, 1979
- Place: Charlestown, NH · CHARLESTOWN, NH
- Location: 43.2355° N, 72.4225° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Charlestown, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2355&lon=-72.4225&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC79FA091
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FA091

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2879   79/9/9    CHARLESTOWN,NH      PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 44, 130
        TIME - 1322                    N159TA              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          STERLING,MA                UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED         UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- HIT POWER LINES ACROSS RIVER.LINES APRX 45FT ABOVE SURFACE OF RIVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N159TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N159TA-2012-08-08), registration cancelled 2012-08-08, S/N 28-23581, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790909034779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790909034779A), Sep 9, 1979: Piper PA28140, Charlestown, NH, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot flew into wire which was 45 ft above surface of river.

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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