# NTSB NYC85FHJ02: Piper PA-38-112, N26005, Westhampton Bch, NY, May 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1985, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Westhampton Bch, NY
- Coordinates: 40.829025, -72.650733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8290&lon=-72.6507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FHJ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FHJ02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - dispatch procedures - delayed, atc personnel(dep/apch) (contributing factor)
  - judgment - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - normal
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED IN A FENCE AFTER HITTING A PWR LINE AND TREES DURING A FORCED LNDG AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ENG LOST POWER AFTER A 10 MIN DELAY FOR ATC CLEARANCE DUE TO A MILITARY EXERCISE. THE PLT SAID HE BELIEVED THAT CARB ICE FORMED DURING THE GROUND WAIT FOR ATC CLEARANCE. THE PLT TRIED CARB HEAT AFTER THE PWR LOSS(A GRADUAL DROP IN ENG RPM). THE PLTSAID THAT DURING THE HOLDING HE WAS IDLING THE ENG AT 1100 RPM. THE TEMP WAS 60 DEGREES F, DEW POINT 57 DEGREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N26005 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3881A0092
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Perrys Flying Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 4, 1985, 59 hours before
- Departed: FOK
- Destination: ISP, ISLIP, NY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FOK, Suffolk County, runway 24, 9,000 × 200 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 20,900 total, 300 in this make and model, 18,900 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FOK

## 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 19850521018909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850521018909A), May 21, 1985: Piper PA38112, Westhampton Bea, NY, Substantial damage. Aircraft held for ten minutes on runway. Gradual power loss after takeoff. Landed in tree. Probable carburetor ice.

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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