# NTSB NYC85FA029: Piper PA-28-236, N2831Y, Atlantic City, NJ, November 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1984, 20:42 local (Nov 17, 1984, 01:42 UTC)
- Place: Atlantic City, NJ
- Location: 39.3773° N, 74.4511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Atlantic City, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3773&lon=-74.4511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - level off - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ANOTHER AIRCRAFT IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE PILOT EXTENDED THE DOWNLEG LEG LEG. DURING THE TURN TO ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE RUNWAY THE PILOT SUFFERED A DISABLING HEART ATTACK. UNABLE TO RECOVER THE AIRCRAFT FROM ITS DESCENT IT ENTERED THE WATER AT A NOSE DOWN ANGLE OF APPROXIMATELY 80 DEGREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2831Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2831Y-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 28-7911195, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7911195
- Airframe hours: 604
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-53A5D 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Irwin R. Small
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1984
- Departed: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Destination: AIY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AIY, 3 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 19841116063279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841116063279A), Nov 16, 1984: Piper PA28236, Atlantic City, PA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Entered descending right turn into Atlantic ocean 400 yards east of boardwalk. Pilot incapacitated by heart attack.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.