# NTSB NYC86LA153: Piper PA-28-235, N9094W, Westport, NY, June 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1986, 20:15 local (Jun 17, 1986, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Westport, NY
- Coordinates: 44.170692, -73.430488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1707&lon=-73.4305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA153

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly - inoperative (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PIPER PA-28-235 MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING AT NIGHT IN CONDITIONS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY, WITH RAIN, GUSTY WINDS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED NO PRE-EXISTING PROBLEMS. A MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE AIRFRAME NOTED THE AUXILIARY FUEL SELECTORS VALVES WOULD LEAK AIR INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM IF THE AUXULIARY TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE CAUSE OF THE OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9094W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9094W-1989-11-16), registration cancelled 1989-11-16, S/N 2810702 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10702
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Spees
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SYR, SYRACUSE, NY
- Destination: BTV, BURLINGTON, VT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark

## 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 19860616029489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860616029489A), Jun 16, 1986: Piper PA28235, Westport, NY, Substantial damage. Aircraft force landed after power loss. VFR pilot in IFR conditions. Suspect corroded fuel selector let air in line

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.