# NTSB NYC85FA205: Piper PA-28-161, N3462M, Cape May, NJ, August 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1985, 21:40 local (Aug 9, 1985, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Cape May, NJ
- Location: 38.9411° N, 74.8984° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cape May, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9411&lon=-74.8984&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA205

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - light condition - night

## Analysis

CREW MEMBERS OF A COAST GUARD HELICOPTER, OBSERVED AN ACFT FLYING AT ABOUT 1500 FT ABOVE THE WATER. ACCORDING TO THEM, THE ACFT PITCHED DOWN INTO A 60 TO 70 DEG NOSE LOW ATTITUDE & COLLIDED WITH THE WATER. THE HELICOPTER WAS IMMEDIATELY FLOWN TO THE ACDNT SITE; HOWEVER, THE DOWNED ACFT COULD NOT BE SEEN. LATER, THE FATALLY INJURED PLT & DEBRIS FROM THE ACFT WERE FOUND, BUT THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS NOT LOCATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3462M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287816344
- Airframe hours: 6309
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Southern Jersey Aviation
- Registered owner: Kenneth H. Ross
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 18, 1985, 517 hours before
- Departed: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE
- Destination: 26N, OCEAN CITY, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 306 total, 118 in this make and model, 218 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACY, 33 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 19850808037739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850808037739A), Aug 8, 1985: Piper PA28161, Cape May/Wildwo, NJ, Destroyed. Pitched nose down abruptly during a night flight over water. Aircraft parts found. Results of toxicology negative.

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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