# NTSB NYC85FA060: Piper PA-31-350, N27522, Whitefield, NH, February 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1985, 20:25 local (Feb 2, 1985, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Whitefield, NH
- Location: 44.1280° N, 70.9227° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from MOUNT WASHINGTON RGNL (HIE), within about 11 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1280&lon=-70.9227&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, missed approach (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER EXECUTING A MISSED APPROACH AT WHITEFIELD DURING IMC WX. THE ACFT WAS SEEN AT 300-400 FT AGL DURING SOME PART OF THE MANEUVERING NEAR THE ARPT. THE ACFT SEEMED TO BE HEADING FOR THE ARPT WHEN LAST SEEN BY GROUND OBSERVERS. THE ONLY INDICATION OF TROUBLE WAS THE LOW ALT. OF FLT. THE ACFT CRASHED AT THE 2800 FT LEVEL OF TWIN MT ON A HDG OF 120 DEG AT 2035 HRS. IT WAS LAST SEEN ABOUT 2015 HOURS. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ENG FUEL DIVIDERS OR FUEL LINES. THE INBOARD TANKS WERE MORE THAN HALF FULL OF FUEL. NORMAL OPERATION CALLS FOR TAKEOFF, CLIMB & DESCENT ON THE INBOARD TANKS. THE OUTBOARD TANKS ARE USED FOR NON-MANEUVERING FLT DURING CRUISE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N27522 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 317852040
- Airframe hours: 1900
- Engines: LYCOMING LIO-540-52BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ladco, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Trends, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 15, 1985, 48 hours before
- Departed: BTV, BURLINGTON, VT
- Destination: HIE, WHITEFIELD, NH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HIE, Whitefield, runway 10, 3,500 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19850201011989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850201011989A), Feb 1, 1985: Piper PA31P350, Whitefield, NH, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Impacted rising terrain during missed approach. Failed to follow missed approach procedure.

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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