# NTSB NYC83FHA01: Piper PA-28-180, N2581R, Bethel, PA, November 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1982, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, PA
- Location: 40.4765° N, 76.2880° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bethel, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4765&lon=-76.2880&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FHA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FHA01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THE AIRCRAFT MADE SEVERAL LOW LEVEL PASSES OVER A FARM HOUSE INCLUDING FLYING UNDER POWERLINES BEFORE COLLIDING WITH A TREE. THE PILOT, WHO WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED COULD NOT REMEMBER THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL DESCREPANCIES AND INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE APPEARED CAPABLE OF OPERATING NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2581R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5681
- Airframe hours: 828
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James V. Roy,Inc.
- Registered owner: James V. Roy,Inc.
- Departed: LEBANON VALLEY, PA
- Destination: SOMERSET, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,595 total, 1,588 in this make and model, 1,406 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19821116059709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821116059709A), Nov 16, 1982: Piper PA28180, Strausstown, PA, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit tree during low level flight in vicinity of pilots home.

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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