# NTSB NYC84FGM01: Piper PA-28-161, N8163P, Marshburg, PA, November 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1983, 19:20 local (Nov 2, 1983, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Marshburg, PA
- Location: 41.8838° N, 78.8011° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from BRADFORD RGNL (BFD), within about 3 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8838&lon=-78.8011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FGM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35383/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FGM01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER REFUELING AT ITHACA, NY, THE PLTS OF TWO PIPER PA-28 ACFT DEPARTED AS A FLT OF TWO. THEY HAD PLANNED TO CONTINUE THEIR FLT BACK TO CINCINNATI, OH WITH ANOTHER EN ROUTE STOP AT COLUMBUS, OH. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT OF N8163P WAS FOLLOWING THE LEAD ACFT, N6888W. AFTER CHECKING THE WX & OBSERVING LIGHTNING AHEAD, THE FLT LEADER RADIOED THAT HE WAS TURNING BACK TO BRADFORE, PA TO LAND. AT THIS TIME (1915 EST) IT WAS DARK & THE ACFT WERE AT ABOUT 3000 TO 3300 FT MSL. THE #2 PLT TRIED TO KEEP THE LEAD ACFT IN SIGHT, DURING THE TURN, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE LEAD PLANE, THE #2 PLT BECAME DISORIENTED & LOST CONTROL OF HIS ACFT. DURING THE ATTEMPTED RECOVERY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON THE CREST OF A HILL AT APRX 2240 FT MSL. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED, BUT THE 2 OCCUPANTS OF THAT ACFT RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THEY SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE FOREST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8163P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8163P-1984-01-10), registration cancelled 1984-01-10, S/N 28-8016275 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28801627
- Airframe hours: 1593
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Piper 161 Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 2, 1983, 68 hours before
- Departed: ITH, ITECAH, NY
- Destination: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH
- Airport: BFD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 117 total, 37 in this make and model, 57 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFD, 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 19831101057719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831101057719A), Nov 1, 1983: Piper PA28161, Marshburg, PA, Destroyed. Lost control at night during a turn around due to enroute weather. Struck trees on a hill. No ground reference.

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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