# NTSB NYC83FA005: Piper PA-28-161, N9535C, Sanbornton, NH, October 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1982, 21:25 local (Oct 9, 1982, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Sanbornton, NH
- Location: 43.4892° N, 71.5823° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sanbornton, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4892&lon=-71.5823&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA005

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - atc clearance - not obtained, pilot in command
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ADVISED DURING HIS WX BRIEFING THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR HIS PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLT AND DESTINATION. THE PLT, WHOSE BUSINESS CONCERN WAS IN THE GLENS FALLS AREA, COMMUTED ALMOST DAILY TO HIS HOME IN GILFORD, NH. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT ABOUT THE 1250 FT LEVEL ON THE WEST SIDE OF A 1315 FT HILL. THE WRECKAGE SITE WAS LOCATED SLIGHTLY NORTH OF THE RWY 8 LOCALIZER COURSE, ABOUT 1/2 MI WEST OF THE FINAL APPROACH FIX. NO APPROACH PLATES WERE FOUND IN THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9535C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9535C-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 28-7816490, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816490
- Airframe hours: 1784
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David L. Tennent
- Registered owner: David L. Tennent
- Departed: C, GLENS FALLS, NY
- Destination: C, GILFORD, NH
- Airport: LCI, Laconia Municipal, runway 8, 5,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,675 total, 1,675 in this make and model, 1,505 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 124 °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 19821008051949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821008051949A), Oct 8, 1982: Piper PA28161, Sanbornton, NH, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft crashed into hill along localizer path to airport in very adverse weather conditions.

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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