# NTSB NYC86FA111: Piper PA-28-140, N44331, Spring Valley, NY, April 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1986, 19:10 local (Apr 23, 1986, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Spring Valley, NY
- Coordinates: 41.11911, -74.05075 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1191&lon=-74.0507&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): 30182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - wing - separation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PAX STATED THAT HE & THE PLT WERE AT A BAR WHERE THEY HAD ABOUT THREE BEERS RPIOR TO THIS FLIGHT. DURING THE FLIGHT THE PILOT DID SEVERAL STALLS AND SOME AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. THE PAX WAS UNNERVED AND TOLD THE PLT THAT HE WANTED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. DURING THE FINAL APCH LEG TO THE ARPT THE PLT UNDERSHOT THE RWY AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITHTREES LOCATED ABOUT 475 FT FROM AND BELOW THE ELEVATION OF THE RWY. A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT APCH THE ARPT IN A NORMAL MANNER WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING BEFORE THE COLLISION. THE PLT WAS COMATOSE FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTERWARDS AND HAS NO RECOLLECTION OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PAX REPORTED NO PROBLEM WITH THE ACFT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. EXAM OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. THE BAROMETERIC PRESSURE WAS 29.75. THE ALTIMETER WAS SET TO 30.40. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S LOGBOOK, THE PLT'S LAST FLT AND LAST NIGHT FLT WERE RESPECTIVELY 6 AND 5.5 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT DATE. A BLOOD ALCOHOL TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED ON THE PLT BECAUSE OF HIS INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44331](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44331-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 28-7425404, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425404
- Airframe hours: 6516
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vincent Rovito/Geo.Victorov
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1985, 75 hours before
- Departed: N24, SPRING VALLEY, NY
- Destination: N24, SPRING VALLEY, NY
- Airport: N24, Ramapo Valley, runway 26, 2,185 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 153 total, 153 in this make and model, 103 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HPN, 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 19860422013389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860422013389A), Apr 22, 1986: Piper PA28140, Spring Valley, NY, Destroyed. The aircraft hit trees while on final at night. Pilot was not current to carry passengers and had been drinking.

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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