# NTSB NYC86LA044: Piper Aztec, N6LQ, North Adams, MA, November 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1985, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: North Adams, MA
- Location: 42.6756° N, 73.1181° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Adams, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6756&lon=-73.1181&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA044

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED ALBANY NEW YORK UNDER VFR CONDITIONS AND PICKED UP IFR CLEARANCE TO PITTSFIELD, MA. THE PILOT FLEW THE APPROACH UNTIL REACHING VFR UNDER A CLOUD LAYER AT ABOUT 2500 FT. CONTINUING VFR TOWARD NO. ADAMS AT AN ALTITUDE OF 2000 FT, THE PILOT SPOTTED THE CITY OF NO. ADAMS AN DESCENDED TO 1800 FT, RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AS THE FLIGHT TURNED FINAL. THE FLIGHT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AND CRASHED, DESTROYING THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6LQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6LQ-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N 27-7405323, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER AZTEC
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 277405323
- Airframe hours: 1100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Oakwind Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1985
- Departed: ALB, ALBANY, NY
- Destination: 2B6, NO. ADAMS, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 2B6, Harriamn-West, runway 29, 4,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,910 total, 2,955 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark

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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