# NTSB NYC85FNA03: Piper PA-28-151, N8371C, Newburyport, MA, August 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1985, 23:35 local (Aug 18, 1985, 03:35 UTC)
- Place: Newburyport, MA
- Location: 42.7954° N, 70.8394° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PLUM ISLAND (2B2), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7954&lon=-70.8394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FNA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35614/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FNA03

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - landing light(s) - inoperative
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night
  - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING AT NIGHT WITH AN INOPERATIVE LANDING LIGHT AND NO RUNWAY LIGHTS. AFTER CIRCLING THE AIRPORT 3 OR 4 TIMES HE ATTEMPTED A LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8371C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8371C-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 287615096 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287615096
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gerard R. Euell
- Registered owner: Design Construction Mgmt. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 4, 1985, 42 hours before
- Departed: PVC, PROVINCETOWN, MA
- Airport: 2B2, Plum Island, runway 28, 2,520 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 237 total, 18 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- 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 19850817039429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850817039429A), Aug 17, 1985: Piper PA28151, Newburyport, MA, Destroyed. Struck tree and ground during attempted night landing on unlighted runway. Inoperative landing light on aircraft.

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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