# NTSB NYC86LA056: Piper PA-28-140, N9949W, Frankfort, NY, December 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1985, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, NY
- Location: 43.0378° N, 75.0716° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Frankfort, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0378&lon=-75.0716&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30283/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT DIVERTED TO FRANKFORT-HIGHLAND EN ROUTE FROM HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION OF UTICA, NY, BECAUSE OF IFR WEATHER AT UTICA. THE PLT STATED THAT AS THE NOSE WHEEL SETTLED TO THE RWY DURING TOUCHDOWN, IT DUG INTO SNOW ON THE RWY AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THE RWY WAS COVERED WITH 1 1/2 FEET OF SNOW AT THE POINT WHERE TOUCHDOWN WAS ACCOMPLISHED. THE REMAINING RWY SURFACE WAS COVERED WITH APRX 6 INCHES OF SNOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9949W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9949W-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 28-23494, built 1967 (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: 28-23494
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian C. Alessi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1984, 64 hours before
- Departed: ALB, ALBANY, NY
- Destination: UCA, UTICA, NY
- Airport: Frankfort-Highland, runway 31, 2,500 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 154 total, 36 in this make and model, 119 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 25 °F

## 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 19851229064009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851229064009A), Dec 29, 1985: Piper PA28140, Frankfort, NY, Substantial damage. Vectored to airport due to deteriorating weather. Landed on snow covered runway and flipped inverted.

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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