NYC83FA085

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-28RT-201 · Captree Island, NY · April 4, 1983

Accident · FatalField investigationFinal report
Date
April 3, 1983, 19:06 local (Apr 4, 1983, 00:06 UTC)
Place
Captree Island, NY
Injuries
2 fatal
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N8219LPiper PA-28RT-201
Weather
Instrument (IMC) · Dusk
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19830403010669A
Case key
35034

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight encounter with weatherApproach
Weather condition - below approach/landing minimumsFactor
InitiatedPilot in command
In-flight weather advisories - not issuedAtc personnel(dep/apch)Factor
In flight collision with terrain/waterApproach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
Light condition - duskFactor
Weather condition - low ceilingFactor
Weather condition - rainFactor
Weather condition - fogFactor
Ifr procedure - improperPilot in commandFactor
Missed approach - performedPilot in command
Ifr procedure - improperPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterApproach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
Safety advisory - not issuedAtc personnel(dep/apch)Factor
Proper altitude - not maintainedPilot in commandCause

Analysis

The plt contacted the islap west arrival controller with the intention of landing at islap, NY. However, islap was below mins, so the plt diverted toward farmingdale, NY & asked about the wx there. The islap controller coordinated the diversion with the farmingdale/republic tower & told the plt to expect a back course ILS apch to rwy 32. Also, he told the plt to change to NY apch control & said they would have farmingdale's wx & would provide vectors. The plt contacted apch control, but did not inquire further about the wx, nor did apch control provide it. The controller vectored the pltthru the localizer, then back to it. The plt was cleared for the apch & was instructed to contact the tower at 1 1/2 mi from the final apch fix (faf). He had difficulty turning onto the localizer & began a missed apch aprx 2 mi after passing the faf. His intention was still to land at farmingdale. He was instructed to climb to 2000 ft & was provided vectors for another apch. However, he did not maintain alt & subsequently crashed in a marsh. No preimpact failure fnd.

Aircraft

Registration
N8219L
Reported as
Piper PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
28R-8018079
Airframe hours
717
Engine
Lycoming IO-360-C1C6, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
National Hybrid, Inc.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · April 10, 1982 · 207 hours before
Departed
Hilton Head, SC
Destination
Farmingdale, NY
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
FRG · Republic, runway 32, 6,827 × 150 ft, macadam

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
49
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
671 total · 580 as pilot in command · 13 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days · 5 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Instrument (IMC) · Dusk
Wind
360° at 10 knots
Visibility
1 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
400 ft overcast
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
FRG, 9 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.