# NTSB NYC83FA125: Piper PA-28-140, N1316T, Haines Falls, NY, May 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1983, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Haines Falls, NY
- Coordinates: 42.199531, -74.089958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1995&lon=-74.0900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA125

## 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)
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON THE PREVIOUS DAY, THE PLT HAD FLOWN TO POUGHKEEPSIE, NY. BEFORE HE DEPARTED ON THE RETRUN TRIP, THE MANAGER OF A FLT SCHOOL INFORMED HIM THAT THE WX WAS BAD; HOWEVER, HE TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 0912 EDT. WHILE ENROUTE, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES NEAR THE TOP OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 3400 FT. AFTER IMPACT WITH THE 1ST TREE, THE ACFT CONTINUED ABOUT 500 FT BEFORE IT CAME TO REST IN THE WOODED AREA. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. STATE POLICE OFFICERS FLYING IN A HELICOPTER REPORTED HEAVY RAIN & LOW CEILINGS IN THE AREA. ABOUT 34 MI NORTH-NORTHEAST AT ALBANY, NY, THE 0948 EDT WX WAS: ESTIMATED 1000 FT OVERCAST, 6 MI VISIBILITY WITH FOG, TEMP 55 DEG, DEW POINT 54 DEG, WIND 60  DEG AT 10 KTS, BREAKS IN OVERCAST WITH HIGHER CLOUDS VISIBLE. THE PLT PREVIOUSLY HAD A STUDENT CERTIFICATE, BUT IT HAD BEEN REVOKED BY THE FAA FOR VIOLATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1316T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7225460
- Airframe hours: 1590
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rex Miller DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1983, 49 hours before
- Departed: POU, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY
- Destination: ART, WATERTOWN, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 744 total, 481 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 34 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 19830526026599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830526026599A), May 26, 1983: Piper PA28140, Haines Falls, NY, Destroyed. Struck trees in mountainous terrain in IFR conditions. Student certificate had been revoked previously.

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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