# NTSB NYC84FA129: Piper PA-28R-201, N9487C, Burlington, CT, April 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1984, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, CT
- Location: 41.7693° N, 72.9645° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Burlington, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7693&lon=-72.9645&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA129

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP RIGHT DESCENDING TURN SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE STUDENT PLT FLYING THE ACFT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO FLY THAT DAY BUT THE INSTRUCTOR CANCELED THE FLT ON ACCOUNT OF WEATHER. THE ACFT WAS SEEN TAXIING OUT ABOUT1230. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT DISAPPEARED INTO THE OVERCAST IN A RIGHT TURN. SHORTLY AFTER, THE ACFT DESCENDED FROM THE OVERCAST STILL TURNING RIGHT UNTIL GROUND CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9487C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9487C-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 28R-7837201, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7837201
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Not Stated
- Registered owner: The Best Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1984, 15 hours before
- Destination: PLAINVILLE, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 109 total, 46 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDL, 19 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 19840414013519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840414013519A), Apr 14, 1984: Piper PA28R201, Burlington, CT, Destroyed. Student lost control after entering low clouds on the takeoff climbout. Was not qualified for IFR flight in IMC.

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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