# NTSB NYC84FA114: Piper PA-31-350, N27886, Oneonta, NY, March 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1984, 19:02 local (Mar 22, 1984, 00:02 UTC)
- Place: Oneonta, NY
- Coordinates: 42.450714, -75.059288 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4507&lon=-75.0593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35326/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA114

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - mental performance overload, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - ifr procedure - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA AFTER THE LOSS OF ENG POWER. THE WX WAS VMC. THE PLT MADE A MISSED APPROACH AFTER TRYING TO LAND ON RWY AT ONEONTA, AT 1838 HRS. LATER THE PLT RADIOED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO 'PICK UP' THE KRING BEACON. BOSTON CENTER VECTORED THE FLT TO THE AREA OF THE KRING BEACON. THE PLT THEN PROCEEDED TO QUESTION HIS POSITION. WHEN BOSTON TERMINATED RADAR SERVICE THE PLTS ANSWER WAS UNINTELLIGIBLE. NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE FLT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE ARPT. THE LEFT FULL TANK SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON THE LEFT OUTBOARD TANK. THIS ACFT IS RESTRICTED TO LEVEL FLT FOR USE OF FUEL FROM THE OUTBOARD TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N27886 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7952024
- Airframe hours: 2065
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-52BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kar-San Dev. Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PHF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: N66, Oneonta Muni., runway 24, 3,400 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,699 total, 509 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 26 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Observed at: BGM, 45 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 19840321006759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840321006759A), Mar 21, 1984: Piper PA31350, Oneonta, NY, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Ran aux. Tank dry, engine quit. Unable to execute localizer approach appropriately, impacted trees and ground.

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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