# NTSB NYC83FHA03: Piper PA-22-135, N8604C, New Hope, PA, January 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1983, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: New Hope, PA
- Coordinates: 40.35979, -74.950836 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3598&lon=-74.9508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35096
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FHA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35096/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FHA03

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE WHILE THE PILOT AND A FRIEND IN ANOTHER PLANE WERE FLYING ALONG THE DELEWARE RIVER. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AS HE APPROACHED A BRIDGE, HE CLIMBED TO CLEAR OVER THE BRIDGE AND SOME POWER LINES, THEN STARTED TO DESCEND. HE STATED THAT THE NEXT THING HE REMEMBERED WAS WAKING UP IN THE WATER. HE WAS PULLED FROM THE WATER BY A MAN WHO LIVED NEARBY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8604C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8604C-1985-01-31), registration cancelled 1985-01-31, S/N 22-1289 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-1289
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John A. Nixon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1982, 0 hours before
- Departed: N40, PITTSTOWN, NJ
- Destination: N54, LANGHORNE, PA
- Airport: N54, Buehl Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 1,173 total, 1,040 in this make and model, 1,143 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830116001019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830116001019A), Jan 16, 1983: Piper PA22S135, New Hope, PA, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines while flying down river at a unsafe altitude. Crashed into river.

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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