# NTSB NYC85LA126: Piper PA-31-350, N3548V, Potsdam, NY, May 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1985, 08:49 local (12:49 UTC)
- Place: Potsdam, NY
- Coordinates: 44.659454, -74.979194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6595&lon=-74.9792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35875/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA126

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BREIFING AND FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN WITH MASSENA FLIGHT SERVICE STATION.  THE FLIGHT WAS UNEVENTFUL AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLEARED FOR THE NDB APPROACH AT POTSDAM BY BOSTON CENTER.  WHEN THE AIRPORT WAS IN SIGHT, THE PILOT CNACELLED THE FLIGHT PLAN AND PROCEEDED VFR TO THE AIRPORT.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE LANDING CHECKLIST WAS STARTED AND THE FLAPS EXTENDED TO 25 DEGREES.  AS N3548V CROSSED THE THRESHOLD, THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED AND THE PILOT CHECK ALL CONTROLS PHYSICALLY.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE LANDING GEAR HANDLE WAS ALSO CHECKED.  SHORTLY BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTING THE RUNWAY,THE LANDING GEAR WARNING HORN SOUNDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3548V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8052029
- Airframe hours: 3749
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Sair Aviation, doing business as 1500 Mony Plaza
- Registered owner: T. Hanger Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 10, 1985, 15 hours before
- Departed: SYR, SYRACUSE, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PTD, Potsdam Municipal, runway 24, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,186 total, 659 in this make and model, 2,925 as pilot in command, 177 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSS

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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