# NTSB NYC83FA242: Piper PA-32R-301, N84703, Collier Twnshp, PA, September 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1983, 14:31 local (18:31 UTC)
- Place: Collier Twnshp, PA
- Coordinates: 40.350818, -80.159278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3508&lon=-80.1593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA242

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - overload
  - wing - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT CONTACTED APCH CONTROL & WAS PROVIDED RADAR VECTORS FOR A VISUAL APCH. WHILE ON THE APCH, HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO KEEP HIS SPEED UP UNTIL HE WAS 1 1/2 MI ON FINAL. VECTORS WERE PROVIDE WITH TURNS AS NECESSARY UNTIL THE ACFT WAS 6 1/2 TO 7 MI FROM THE RWY. AT THAT TIME, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD THE ARPT IN SIGHT. HE WAS THEN INSTRUCTED TO PROCEED INBOUND FOR RWY 32 & TO KEEP HIS SPEED UP AS LONG AS FEASIBLE. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST. A NUMBER OF WITNESSES HEARD & SAW THE ACFT AT A FASTER THAN NORMAL SPEED. SEVERAL SAW THE ACFT & DEBRIS FALLING AFTER AN IN-FLT BREAKUP OCCURRED. EVIDENCE WAS FOUND THAT THE WINGS & RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER HAD SEPARATED DOWNWARD & THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER HAD SEPARATED UPWARD. THE AILERON, RUDDER & STABILIZER BALANCE WTS WERE STILL IN PLACE. RADAR DATA REVEALED THAT THE GROUND SPEED ON FINAL APCH HAD INCREASED TO 208 KTS. THE NEVER EXCEED SPEED (VNE) WAS 189 KCAS & 197 KIAS. ANOTHER PLT REPORTED LGT TO MOD TURB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N84703 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8213011
- Airframe hours: 334
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Wright Bros. Aero Corp.
- Registered owner: Triangle Aviation , Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 2, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: DAY, DAYTON, OH
- Destination: PIT, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PIT, Greater Pittsburgh Int'L, runway 32, 8,100 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 383 total, 12 in this make and model, 292 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIT, 6 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 19830914048829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830914048829A), Sep 14, 1983: Piper PA32R301, Collier Townshi, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot was expediting approach at the request of ATC, when an inflight airframe separation occurred.

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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