# NTSB NYC84FA326: Piper PA-34-220T, N999YP, Turbotville, PA, September 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1984, 12:16 local (16:16 UTC)
- Place: Turbotville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.09946, -76.760871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0995&lon=-76.7609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35371
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA326
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35371/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA326

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence,clear air
  - seat belt - not used, pilot in command
  - flight control,stabilator - overload
  - flight control,stabilator - separation
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE THE ACFT WAS EN ROUTE, ATC ADVISED THE PLT OF VFR TRAFFIC AT HIS ONE O'CLOCK POSITION AT 12 MI ON A NW HEADING. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED, BUT REPORTED THAT HE HAD NO CONTACT & SAID THE WX WAS A LITTLE HAZY. A SHORT TIME LATER, ATC ADVISED THE TRAFFIC WAS CLEAR & THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED. THIS WAS THE LAST TRANSMISSION FROM THE ACFT. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, A PA-28 PLT ON A 150 DEG HDG SAW AN ACFT (N999YP) AT HIS ONE O'CLOCK POSITION ON A EASTERLY HDG, ABOUT 1 MI AHEAD. HE REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS IN A SHALLOW NOSE-DOWN PITCH ATTITUDE & APPEARED TO BE TRAVELING VERY FAST. WHEN THE ACFT MOVED TO HIS 11 O'CLOCK POSITION, IT CAME APART IN THE AIR AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 5000 TO 5500 FT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND FRAGMENTED & SCATTERED OVER A 3000 FT AREA ON AN EAST-WEST DIRECTION. THE STABILATORS HAD SEPARATED FROM THE EMPENNAGE & THE WINGS HAD SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE WING CENTER SPAR WAS FOUND BENT & HAD FAILED FROM OVERLOAD. WX STUDY SHOWED PROBABLE LGT TO MOD TURBC AT 7000 TO 8000 FT MSL. SEAT BELTS/SHLDR HARNESSES WERE UNFASTENED/UNDAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N999YP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 348233112
- Airframe hours: 454
- Engines: CONTINENTAL L/TSIO-360-KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arroyo Company Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1983, 112 hours before
- Departed: CAK, AKRON, OH
- Destination: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 820 total, 27 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPT, 10 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 19840930057899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840930057899A), Sep 30, 1984: Piper PA34220T, Turbotville, PA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft suffered airframe failure while in a shallow dive. Winds aloft indicate moderate turbulence at cruise.

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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