# NTSB NYC86LA031: Piper PA-32R-301T, N4313T, West Chester, PA, November 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1985, 21:49 local (Nov 11, 1985, 02:49 UTC)
- Place: West Chester, PA
- Coordinates: 39.989547, -75.600692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9895&lon=-75.6007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not performed, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission(marked)
  - clearance - not maintained, dual student (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A PRACTICE VOR APCH WAS MADE TO THE ARPT. AFTERWARDS A LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED ON RWY 27. A G0 AROUND WAS MADE WHEN THE ACFT WAS TOO HIGH ON FINAL. A SECOND LANDING ATTEMPT WAS MADE. ACCORDING TO THE CFI, WHILE ON FINAL THE STUDENT WAS HEADED FOR A TOUCHDOWN POINT JUST BEYOND THE WHITE RWY LIGHTS. THE CFI SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE A BALL AHEAD OF THE ACFT. A GO AROUND WAS ATTEMPTED JUST AS COLLISION WITH POWER LINES OCCURRED. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RWY AND SLID TO A STOP LEFT OF THE RWY. RWY 27 IS 3012 FT LONG WITH A 65 FT DISPLACED THRESHOLD. THE POWER LINES ARE LOCATED ABOUT 150 FT FROM AND ABOUT 10 FT ABOVE RWY 27. THE STUDENT LANDED AT THE ARPT AT NIGHT TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4313T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4313T-1988-10-03), registration cancelled 1988-10-03, S/N 32R8313024 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-83130024
- Airframe hours: 261
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dawn Aeronautics
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 15, 1985
- Departed: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE
- Destination: N99, WEST CHESTER, PA
- Airport: N99, Brandywind, runway 27, 2,580 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,802 total, 559 in this make and model, 1,802 as pilot in command, 184 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19851110076279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851110076279A), Nov 10, 1985: Piper PA32R301, West Chester, PA, Substantial damage. Struck powerlines on short final, then impacted the ground and slid to a stop to the left of the runway.

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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