# NTSB NYC85LA184: Piper PA-28-161, N8247A, Nantucket, MA, July 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1985, 20:53 local (Jul 19, 1985, 00:53 UTC)
- Place: Nantucket, MA
- Location: 41.2533° N, 70.0605° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NANTUCKET MEML (ACK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2533&lon=-70.0605&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): 35923
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35923/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA184

## 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)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A MEDIUM LEFT BANK TURNING THROUGH A SOUTH SOUTHWEST HEADING AS IT APPEARED FROM THE CLOUDS. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND IN THAT ATTITUDE UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES ABOUT 3.5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE ARPT. THE PLT AND PASSENGER WERE HELPED OUT OF THE WRECKAGE BY A LOCAL PLT AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8247A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116001
- Airframe hours: 1132
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hossein K. Torabzadeh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1985, 108 hours before
- Departed: OWD, NORWOOD, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ACK, Nantucket Mem., runway 24, 6,303 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 426 total, 251 in this make and model, 292 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACK, 1 nm away

## 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 19850719032299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850719032299A), Jul 19, 1985: Piper PA28161, Nantucket, MA, Destroyed. Pilot descended below minimums on approach and struck trees. Pilots IFR competancy a factor.

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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