# NTSB NYC84LA323: Piper PA-28-140, N8859K, Hazleton, PA, September 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1984, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Hazleton, PA
- Coordinates: 40.94915, -75.969589 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9492&lon=-75.9696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA323

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL AND PASSENGER LOAD NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT, TOWARD RISING TERRAIN. AFTER REACHING ABOUT 400 FT AGL, PLT FELT ACFT WAS LOSING CLIMB PERFORMANCE, ALTHOUGH NO SIGNS OF POWER DECREASE WERE NOTED. ACFT SEEMED TO BE SETTLING. PLT NOTED TREES AHEAD IN BEAM OF LNDG LIGHTS, CUT POWER AND ALLOWED ACFT TO STALL/MUSH INTO TREES. DENSITY ALTITUDE CALCULATION TO BE 3500 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8859K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2823752
- Airframe hours: 3308
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis Dommermuth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1984, 6 hours before
- Airport: HZL, Hazleton, runway 28, 4,899 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840925051509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840925051509A), Sep 25, 1984: Piper PA28140, Hazleton, PA, Destroyed. Conflicting stories as to who was in command. Could not stay airborne with full power, hit 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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