# NTSB NYC80FA014: Piper PA-28, N2916Q, Watsontown, PA, November 29, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 29, 1979
- Place: Watsontown, PA · WATSONTOWN, PA
- Location: 41.0853° N, 76.8649° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Watsontown, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0853&lon=-76.8649&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132889
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC80FA014
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FA014

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3916  79/11/29   WATSONTOWN,PA       PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1503                    N2916Q              PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 23, 1126 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            500 IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WILLIAMSPORT,PA             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        REMARKS- STRUCK WIRES SUSPENDED 52 FT ABOVE THE RIVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2916Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2916Q-2018-03-16), registration cancelled 2018-03-16, S/N 28-7716123 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19791129040739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791129040739A), Nov 29, 1979: Piper PA28161, Watsontown, PA, Substantial damage. Struck power lines while flying down river at 60 foot altitude. Crashed in river. Airplane sank.

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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