# NTSB NYC84FA314: Piper PA-32R-300, N478KT, Linden, NJ, September 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1984, 20:18 local (Sep 17, 1984, 00:18 UTC)
- Place: Linden, NJ
- Location: 40.6174° N, 74.2446° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LINDEN (LDJ), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6174&lon=-74.2446&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA314

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT COLLIDED WITH UTILITY POLE DURING A NIGHT VISUAL LNDG. THE POLE IS LOCATED ABOUT 583' FROM THE RWY THRESHOLD AND IS 58' HIGH. THE POLE WAS UNMARKED. THE PLT MADE 1 PREVIOUS NIGHT LNDG. AT THE ARPT AND 5 TOTAL LNDGS AT THE ARPT. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION TO THE ACFT. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OR INCAPACITATION OF THE PLT. THE ELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT ACTIVATE. A SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED ABOUT 1.5 HR AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND THE ACFT WAS FOUND ON THE ARPT ABOUT 30 MINS LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N478KT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7780138
- Airframe hours: 1078
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING IO-540K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alice I. And Ernest J. Hegedus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1984, 57 hours before
- Departed: 1B2, EDGARTOWN, MA
- Destination: LDJ, LINDEN, NJ
- Airport: LDJ, Linden, runway 27, 4,139 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 764 total, 601 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWR, 4 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 19840916070419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840916070419A), Sep 16, 1984: Piper PA32R300, Linden, NJ, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Struck utility pole on final. Aircraft came to rest inverted with wing separated. Obstruction light not lit.

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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