# NTSB NYC85FA166: Piper PA-24-250, N7934P, Tioga, PA, July 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1985, 17:41 local (21:41 UTC)
- Place: Tioga, PA
- Coordinates: 41.900089, -77.129379 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9001&lon=-77.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT INITIATED A DOWNWIND LANDING ON A GRASS RWY THAT SLOPED MOSTLY UPHILL, BUT BEGAN SLOPING DOWNHILL AT ITS DEPARTURE END. A WITNESS NEAR THE APCH END OF THE 2150 FT RWY WATCHED THE ACFT TOUCH DOWN BEYOND ITS MIDPOINT, THEN DISAPPEAR OVER ITS CRESTED END. A WITNESS NEAR THE DEPARTURE END HEARD THE ACFT & 'TURNED TO WATCH THE PLANE TAKEOFF.' HE STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS HEADED TOWARD TREES & THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE PLT WAS TRYING TO PULL UP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES ON DOWNSLOPING TERRAIN, CRASHED & BURNED. ONE PASSENGER, THE PLT'S SON, SURVIVED THE CRASH,BUT DIED LATER DUE TO THE INJURIES & BURNS. AN EXAM OF THE CRASH AREA REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD HIT A BARB WIRE FENCE. ONE OF THE PROP BLADES HAD A BARB WIRE RADIUS NICK MARK ON ITS LEADING EDGE. PREVIOUSLY, THE PLT HAD STATED THAT AT THISARPT, HE PREFERRED TO ALWAYS LAND UPHILL, REGARDLESS OF THE WIND. THE WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 215 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7934P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7934P-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 24-3168, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-3168
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter Davis Harman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: DETROIT, MI
- Destination: 31N
- Airport: Hughes, runway 1, 2,150 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 215° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Observed at: ELM, 23 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 19850714071689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850714071689A), Jul 14, 1985: Piper PA24250, Tioga, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Touched down long and fast and overran runway end. Struck trees and burned. Downwind landing.

## Other investigations on N7934P (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA71FLD12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71FLD12), Aug 25, 1970: Piper PA-24 (N7934P), St Petersburg, FL, substantial damage

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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