# NTSB NYC83FA087: Piper PA-32RT-300, N3515M, Wellsville, NY, April 8, 1983 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 1983, 09:35 local (14:35 UTC) - Place: Wellsville, NY - Coordinates: 42.119709, -77.939643 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1197&lon=-77.9396&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 6 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 35036 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35036/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA087 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - vacuum system - failure,total (contributing factor) - flight/nav instruments,attitude indicator - inoperative (contributing factor) - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - inoperative (contributing factor) - autopilot/flight director - inoperative (contributing factor) - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) ## Analysis JUST PRIOR TO THIS FLT, THE PLT HAD FLOWN FROM HORNELL, NY TO WELLSVILLE, NY. BEFORE DEPARTING HORNELL, HE RADIOED THAT THE VACUUM ANNUNCIATOR LIGHT WAS ON, & DURING A RUN-UP, THE SUCTION GAUGE READ ZERO. GROUND PERSONNEL ADVISED THAT WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON, DIRECTIONAL GYRO & AUTOPILOT WOULD BE INOP & TO STAY AWAY FROM CLOUDS. AFTER LANDING AT WELLSVILLE, PASSENGERS ENPLANED WHILE THE ENG WAS RUNNING. THE ACFT DEPARTED WELLSVILLE AT APRX 0925 IN WX ESTIMATED TO BE 900 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1 1/2 TO 2 MI. APRX 10 MIN LATER, IT CRASHED & BURNED AFTER HITTING TREES ONRISING TERRAIN, APRX 7 MI ESE OF THE ARPT. IT IMPACTED ON A HEADING OF 240 DEG. PRIOR TO IMPACT, WITNESSES NEARBY HEARD AN AIRCRAFT TRAVELING GENERALLY FROM WEST TO EAST THAT SOUNDED LOUD & LOW. ONE STATED HE COULD NOT SEE THE ACFT DUE TO DENSE FOG. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HAD RECEIVED DUAL INSTRUMENT TRAINING, BUT VERY LITTLE PARTIAL PANEL TRAINING. AN EXAM OF THE VACUUM PUMP REVEALED THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS SHEARED. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3515M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3515M-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 32R-7885008, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32RT7885008 - Airframe hours: 965 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: John A. Gemmell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1983, 22 hours before - Departed: ELZ, WELLSVILLE, NY - Destination: LNS, LANCASTER, PA - Airport: ELZ, Wellsville, runway 10, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 404 total, 20 in this make and model, 353 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 2 knots - Temperature: 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ELZ, 7 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 19830408011889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830408011889A), Apr 8, 1983: Piper PA32RT300, Wellsville, NY, Destroyed, 5 fatal. VFR pilot with no weather briefing over gross and inop vacuum pump departed in IMC and struck a fog obscured hill. ## Other investigations on N3515M (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA80DKJ23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80DKJ23), Feb 25, 1980: Piper PA-32 (N3515M), Hokes Bluff, AL, substantial damage 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.