# NTSB NYC86FA015: Piper PA-28-236, N4298K, Tobyhanna, PA, October 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1985, 19:47 local (23:47 UTC)
- Place: Tobyhanna, PA
- Coordinates: 41.180294, -75.430404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1803&lon=-75.4304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA015

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT ABOUT THE TIME N4298K WAS DEPARTING POCONO MOUNTAINS MUN ICIPAL AIRPORT, RECORDED RADAR INFORMATION FROM NEW YORK ARTCC DISPLAYED AN AIRCRAFT IN THAT AREA. THE AIRCRAFT FLEW EASTWARD AND THEN NORTHWARD. THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCREEN ABOUT THREE MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. N4298K WAS LOCATED ABOUT ONE HALF OF A MILE FROM THAT AIRCRAFT'S LAST POSITION. ACCORDING TO WEATHER OBSERVATIONS AND WITNESS IN THE AREA, THE CEILING WAS AT 1100 FEET AND VISIBILITY WAS IMPAIRED BY FOG AROUND POCONO MOUNTAINS AIRPORT AT ABOUT THE TIME N4298K DEPARTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4298K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4298K-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 28-8311018, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8311018
- Airframe hours: 868
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 236 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: General Aviation Co.
- Registered owner: Jeffrey Colquhoun
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 22, 1985, 63 hours before
- Departed: MPO, MOUNT POCONO, PA
- Destination: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 151 total, 6 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVP, 17 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 19851019052859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851019052859A), Oct 19, 1985: Piper PA28236, Tobyhanna, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck wooded terrain while maneuvering near a swamp in sparsely populated area after a dark night takeoff.

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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