# NTSB NYC86FA084: Piper PA-28-181, N8259E, Williamstown, NJ, March 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1986, 19:05 local (Mar 14, 1986, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Williamstown, NJ
- Location: 39.7116° N, 75.0160° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CROSS KEYS (17N), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7116&lon=-75.0160&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA084

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - weather condition
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(ground schedule), pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - residence
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT EXECUTED VOR RWY 09 APCH TO THE ARPT AT NIGHT AND DURING LOW VISIBILITY CONDITIONS THAT RANGED FROM 100 TO 400 FEET DUE TO FOG. THE ACFT FIRST COLLIDED WITH A HOUSE, FOLLOWED BY TWO PARKED CARS AND THEN MAIN IMPACT WITH A SECOND HOUSE. THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ABOUT ONE-HALF MILE EAST OF THE AIRPORT AND NORTH OF THE EXTENDED RWY 09/27 CENTERLINE. THE ACFT WAS HEADED NORTHWEST AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT. WITNESSES HEARD ENGINE SOUNDS JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE PLT WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP THAT CONSTITUTED THE DAY OF AND DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8259E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8190022
- Airframe hours: 482
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory A Tootell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1986, 11 hours before
- Departed: MORRISTOWN, NJ
- Destination: CROSS KEYS, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 17N, Cross Keys

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 477 total, 397 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 100° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHL, 15 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 19860313006449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860313006449A), Mar 13, 1986: Piper PA28181, Williamstown, NJ, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted houses after missing the faf in fog. Suspect ilot was fatigued, had cardiac disease reaction.

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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