# NTSB NYC85FA241: Piper PA-28-140, N7188R, Hamburg, NJ, September 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1985, 14:17 local (18:17 UTC)
- Place: Hamburg, NJ
- Location: 41.1499° N, 74.5712° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hamburg, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1499&lon=-74.5712&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35582/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA241

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES DURING AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT APRX 17 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. ONE WITNESS REPORTED HEARING THE ENG RUNNING AT A HIGH RPM. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL 9-18-85. THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE INDICATED 140 MPH. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHAINCAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. THE CORONERS AUTOPSY REPORT STATED A CONTRIBUTING CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS MOST PROBABLY A HEART ATTACK OR CONGESTIVE HEARTFAILURE. THE PLT WAS UNDER MEDICAL CARE FOR EPILEPTIC SEIZURES. THE PLTS PHYSICIAN REPORTED THE PLT WAS ALRIGHT AS LONG AS HE MAINTAINED A THERAPUDIC LEVEL THROUGH MEDICATION. THE PLTS THERAPUDIC LEVEL WAS NORMAL DURING HIS LAST EXAMINATIONON 9-11-85.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7188R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21901
- Airframe hours: 31
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arthur W. Siegel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1985
- Departed: N63, SUSSEX, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850914045609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850914045609A), Sep 14, 1985: Piper PA28140, Hamburg, NJ, Destroyed. Struck trees in 30 degree nose down attitude. Suspect heart attack. History of epileptic seizures.

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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