# NTSB NYC86LA105: Piper PA-28R-200, N4559X, Westhampton Bch, NY, April 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1986, 00:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Westhampton Bch, NY
- Coordinates: 40.829917, -72.64904 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8299&lon=-72.6490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA105

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)
  - touch-and-go - attempted, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT LATE AT NIGHT AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED TWO INSTRUMENT APPROACHES WITH MISSED APPROACHES. THE PILOTS HAD BEEN ADVISED OF A LOW LAYER OF FOG ON THE AIRPORT. ON THE THIRD AND FINAL APPROACH, AFTER GOING VISUAL, THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED BELOW THE MDA AND STILL HAD THE RUNWAY IN SIGHT. THE PILOT LOST FORWARD VISIBILITY AT APPROXIMATELY 100 FT AGL AFTER ENTERING A LOW LAYER OF FOG AT 150 FT AGL. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND. DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND 60 FT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE, AND THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE UNINJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4559X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4559X), registered now, S/N 28R-7635089, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: L14740,S,A
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-OC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Perry'S Flying School
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 2, 1985, 69 hours before
- Departed: ALB, ALBANY, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FOK, Suffolk Co., runway 24, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: right; flight hours: 791 total, 150 in this make and model, 681 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °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 19860415011799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860415011799A), Apr 15, 1986: Piper PA28R200, Westhampton Bea, NY, Substantial damage. Practice IFR approaches at night fog moved in. Entered low layer landing. CFI began go around. Settled off 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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