# NTSB NYC85FNC02: Piper PA-34-200T, N47364, Hopkinton, NH, January 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1985, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Hopkinton, NH
- Location: 43.2731° N, 71.8037° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from LEBANON MUNI (LEB), within about 11 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2731&lon=-71.8037&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35616
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FNC02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35616/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FNC02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - communications - inadequate, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING AN ILS APPROACH IN IMC WX. THE ACFT WAS ON A X-CTY FLT AND THE PLT DECLARED A MISSED APPROACH AT THIS PT BUT DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE HITTING THE TREE. WHEN THE RT ENG QUIT AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A POWER OFF LANDING OFF ARPT IN AN OPEN AREA. MORE TREE COLLISIONS OCCURRED DURING LNDG AND A HARD TOUCHDOWN WAS MADE ON ROLLING TERRAIN. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND ON THE ACFT. THE PLT HAD ACCEPTED THE ACFT WITH THE LEFT ALTERNATOR REMOVED FOR REPAIRS. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO TRANSPORT THE PLTS MOTHER TO HER HOME IN NH. THE ILS APPROACH HAD BEEN ATTEMPTED AT LEBANON, NH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N47364 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34 7770388
- Airframe hours: 4127
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gabriel Wynters
- Registered owner: Jack Birney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1984, 7 hours before
- Departed: 17N, CROSS KEYS, NJ
- Destination: LEB, LEBANON, NH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LEB, Lebanon, Nh, runway 7, 5,495 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850101000049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850101000049A), Jan 1, 1985: Piper PA34200T, Hopkinton, NH, Destroyed. Missed approach after striking tree. Right engine quit. Unable to maintain altitude. Struck trees on forced landing

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.