# NTSB NYC85FA044: Piper PA-23-250, N6099Y, Bainbridge, NY, December 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1984, 23:00 local (Dec 18, 1984, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Bainbridge, NY
- Coordinates: 42.289375, -75.479454 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2894&lon=-75.4795&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): 35791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA044

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED WHEN THE FLT DEPARTED BINGHAMTON, NY. THE DESTINATION WAS REPORTED AS CLEAR UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO THE ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL, THEN FOG BEGAN TO FORM. WITNESSES WHO HEARD THE ACFT, JUST PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, REPORTED HEAVY FOG. AFTER MAKING AN APCH TO RWY 7, THE ACFT TURNED TO A HEADING OF ABOUT 220 DEG, THEN COLLIDED WITH TREES ON A WOODED HILL, .85 MI NORTH OF THE ARPT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE ELEVATION OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS 1395 FT; THE ARPT ELEVATION WAS 1027 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6099Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-3306
- Airframe hours: 8154
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Susquehanna Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ford-Aire, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 2, 1984, 8,090 hours before
- Departed: BGM, BINGHAMTON, NY
- Airport: N23, Sidney, runway 7, 4,220 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,450 total, 675 in this make and model, 280 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19841217069369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841217069369A), Dec 17, 1984: Piper PA23250, Bainbridge, NY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew low over fog covered airport. Impacted trees and terrain circling airport at dark night.

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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