# NTSB NYC82DA057: Piper PA-28RT-201, N2962W, Avoca, PA, March 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1982, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Avoca, PA
- Coordinates: 41.280807, -75.890701 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2808&lon=-75.8907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA057

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED ICING CONDITIONS WHILE DESCENDING FROM 5000 TO 4000 FT NEAR HIS DESTINATION. HE WAS CLEARED FOR AN IMMEDIATE ILS APPROACH. HE MAINTAINED 110 KNOTS ON FINAL APPROACH UNTIL INSIDE THE MIDDLE MARKER. AT THAT POINT, HE APPLIED ONE NOTCH OF FLAPS AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED DOWN TOWARD THE APPROACH LIGHTS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE USED BOTH HANDS TO CORRECT THE SITUATION AND THE PLANE OSCILLATED DOWN TOWARD THE RUNWAY. AT ABOUT 90 KNOTS, THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED FROM ABOUT 10 TO 15 FT AND LANDED HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2962W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2962W), registered now, S/N 28R-7918239, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7918239
- Airframe hours: 1224
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Pocono Airlines
- Registered owner: Terry Smith Dds
- Departed: ALBANY, NY
- Destination: RLD, RICHLAND, WA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, runway 4, 6,450 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 325 total, 28 in this make and model, 196 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 102 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820317006439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820317006439A), Mar 17, 1982: Piper PA28RT201, Avoca, PA, Substantial damage. Ice accumulated on aircraft during approach and hard landing was made damaging aircraft.

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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