# NTSB NYC83AA208: Piper PA-24-180, N7554P, Pomona, NJ, August 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1983, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Pomona, NJ
- Location: 39.4688° N, 74.5502° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pomona, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4688&lon=-74.5502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83AA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83AA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - overload (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING HIS WX BRIEFING, THE PLT WAS ADVISED OF AN AREA OF RAIN SHOWERS & SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLT, AS WELL AS FLT PRECAUTIONS FOR OCCASIONAL MODERATE TURBULENCE BELOW 8000 FT WHICH WAS FORCAST. HE DEPARTED NORFOLK AT 1500. AT ABOUT 1630, THE PLT REPORTED TO ARTCC THAT 'WE'RE IN SOME HEAVY TURBULENCE NOW.' THIS WAS THE LAST RADIO TRANSMISSION. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY WAS OBSERVED SPINNING & TUMBLING BEFORE IMPACT. THE OUTER PANELS OF BOTH WINGSHAD SEPARATED. MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS EXISTED IN THE VICINITY WHERE RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. THE PIC WAS SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE PAX/PLT SEATED IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT HELD A PRIVATE PLT CERTIFICATE WITH AN AIRPLANE SINGLE-ENG LAND RATING & WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. HE HAD RECEIVED HIS INITIAL FLT INSTRUCTION FROM THE PIC. THE LAST ENTRY IN THE PAX/PLT'S LOG BOOK WAS 5/2/81.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7554P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7554P-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 24-2762, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2762
- Airframe hours: 2741
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lamar Carlton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1982, 189 hours before
- Departed: ORF, NORFOLK, VA
- Destination: PYM, PLYMOUTH, MA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,526 total, 1,428 in this make and model, 2,395 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACY, 4 nm away

## 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 19830812040739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830812040739A), Aug 12, 1983: Piper PA24, Pomona, NJ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft was in heavy turbulence on last radio transmission. Witness heard loud noise, aircraft tumbling from sky.

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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