# NTSB NYC86FA034: Piper PA-28-161, N1400H, Wellsville, NY, November 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1985, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Wellsville, NY
- Coordinates: 42.120124, -77.940368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1201&lon=-77.9404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA034

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Undershoot, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - below, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE THE PLT MADE 3 PRACTICE ISL APCHS AT BRADFORD REGIONAL ARPT LOCATED 35 MLS AWAY. THE ACFT RETURNED TO WELLSVILLE AND WAS CLEARED FOR RWY LOCALIZER APCH. THE PLT RADIOED WELLSVILLE UNICOM FOR ADVISORIES AND WAS INFORMED THAT A FOG BANK WAS OVER THE APCH END OF RWY 28 WITH A 1/4 MI VISIBILITY. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED AND ABOUT 5 MINS LATER A ELT SIGNAL WAS RECEIVED AT THE ARPT. ANOTHER PLT MADE THE APCH ABOUT 30 MINS LATER. ACCORDING TO THE PLT DURING THE APCH HE COULD SEE DIRECTLY BELOW BUT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ARPT. HE MADE A MISSED APCH AND LATER LANDED AFTER A 2ND APCH. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE APCH END OF RWY 28. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PILOTS' PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OR INCAPACITATION. FLIGHT TEST DETERMINED SATISFACTORY OPERATION OF THE LOC NAVAIDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1400H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-771602
- Airframe hours: 2102
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wellsville Flying Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 16, 1985, 70 hours before
- Departed: ELZ, WELLSVILLE, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ELZ, Wellsville, runway 28

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,122 as pilot in command, 254 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFD

## 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 19851113056829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851113056829A), Nov 13, 1985: Piper PA28161, Wellsville, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees 1/4 mile from approach end of runway which was obscured by fog during a localizer approach.

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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