# NTSB NYC86FA214: Piper PA-24-260, N8734P, Ft. Dix, NJ, August 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1986, 15:06 local (19:06 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Dix, NJ
- Location: 40.0053° N, 74.6117° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Dix, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0053&lon=-74.6117&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30200
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30200/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA214

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - vacuum system - failure,total (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS HEADED SW ON VICTOR SIXTEEN INBOUND TO COYLE VOR WHEN THE PLT REPORTED THE LOSS OF GYRO INSTRUMENTS. THE ACFT WAS AT 6000 FT AND IN 'SOLID IFR WEATHER.' THE PLT ELECTED NOT TO DECLARE EMERGENCY AND LAND WHEN ASKED IF HE WANTED TO DO SO BY ATC. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WOULD CONTINUE THE FLIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT REPORTED LOSS OF GYRO INSTRUMENTS THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE AND VEER OFF OF COURSE. ATC INFORMED THE PLT OF THE ACFT DEVIATION AND THE PLT RESPONED THAT HE WOULD TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DEVIATE UNTIL IT HAD DESCENDED TO 5200 FT WHEN THE PLT RADIOED AN ABRUPTLY ENDED TRANSMISSION: '...I'M IN TROUBLE.' THERE WAS NO FURTHER TRANSMISSION FROM THE PLT. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A WOODED AREA AND THE WRECKAGE WAS STREWN A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 1700 FT IN A NORTHERNLY DIRECTION. THERE WAS WING, TAIL AND FUSELAGE SEPARATION OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8734P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8734P-1991-12-04), registration cancelled 1991-12-04, S/N 244184 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 244184
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Norman A.Sharpless/Wm.Shirey
- Registered owner: N.A. Sharpless/W.R. Shirey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CDW, CALDWELL, NJ
- Destination: SBY, SALISBURY, MD
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,474 total, 1,347 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WRT, 3 nm away

## Other investigations on N8734P (2)

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.

- [NTSB NYC68F0227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC68F0227), Oct 6, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N8734P), Spring Valley, NY, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC67F0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67F0024), Jun 12, 1966: Piper PA-24 (N8734P), Spring Valley, NY, substantial damage

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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