# NTSB NYC83FA085: Piper PA-28RT-201, N8219L, Captree Island, NY, April 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1983, 19:06 local (Apr 4, 1983, 00:06 UTC)
- Place: Captree Island, NY
- Coordinates: 40.690685, -73.319412 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6907&lon=-73.3194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35034
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35034/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA085

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - in-flight weather advisories - not issued, atc personnel(dep/apch) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - missed approach - performed, pilot in command
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - safety advisory - not issued, atc personnel(dep/apch) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8018079
- Airframe hours: 717
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 49; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830403010669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830403010669A), Apr 3, 1983: Piper PA28RT201, Farmingdale, NY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed (.4)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…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.