# NTSB NYC86FA027: Piper PA-23-250, N54264, Landisburg, PA, October 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1985, 12:39 local (16:39 UTC)
- Place: Landisburg, PA
- Coordinates: 40.339111, -77.300392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3391&lon=-77.3004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30169/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA027

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TOOK OFF ON A VFR CROSSCOUNTY FLIGHT WITH NO WEATHER BRIEFING. HE FLEW INTO AN AREA OF ADVERSE WEATHER INCLUDING LOW CLOUDS, FOG, DRIZZLE & HAZE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED NEAR THE TOP OF A 2100 FT HIGH HILL IN FORESTED TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54264](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54264-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 27-7554050, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-7554050
- Airframe hours: 3140
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry C. Gehrke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1985, 102 hours before
- Departed: 7N7, PEDRICTOWN, NJ
- Destination: HGR, HAGERSTOWN, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 296 total, 166 in this make and model, 203 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CXY, 30 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 19851023077579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851023077579A), Oct 23, 1985: Piper PA23250, Landisburg, PA, Destroyed. The VFR pilot continued flight into IFR conditions. The aircraft impacted trees on a mountain side.

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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