# NTSB NYC82FA009: Piper PA-32, N178RB, Mount Pocono, PA, November 15, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 15, 1981
- Place: Mount Pocono, PA · MOUNT POCONO, PA
- Location: 41.1225° N, 75.3578° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Pocono, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1225&lon=-75.3578&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 122587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FA009
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FA009

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3525  81/11/15   MOUNT POCONO,PA     PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2112                    N178RB              PX-  3  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            AGE 22, 806 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            35 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - POCONO MTNS MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MILLINOCKET,ME              MOUNT POCONO,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                   UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     DRIZZLE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       45
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          350                                                       9
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      IFR
        REMARKS- IMPACT APRX 480FT BLO MDA,NGT VOR APCH.PLT NA IFR ON AIR TAXI.WITNESSES ESTD CLG BTN 300 & 1000FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N178RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N178RB-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 32-7840178, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Pocono Mtns Muni

## 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 19811115074109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811115074109A), Nov 15, 1981: Piper PA32300, Mount Pocono, PA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck trees on VOR approach. Windshear, turbulence in area. Pilot not approved for IFR flight under FAR 135.

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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