# NTSB NYC87DHD05: Piper PA-36-400, N2412X, Mullica Hill, NJ, May 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1987, 06:00 local (10:00 UTC)
- Place: Mullica Hill, NJ
- Location: 39.7207° N, 75.2101° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mullica Hill, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7207&lon=-75.2101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DHD05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DHD05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PA-36 WAS SPRAYING CHEMICALS ON TREES FOR CONTROL OF THE GYPSY MOTH. HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR POWER LINES AND DUMPED HIS LOAD. THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED TO THE GROUND. THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2412X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2412X), registered now, S/N 36-8302001, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-830200L
- Airframe hours: 824
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-D1C 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bridgeport Crop Dusting Co.,
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 20, 1987
- Departed: N83, BRIDGEPORT, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,075 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHL, 11 nm away

## 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 19870523015559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870523015559A), May 23, 1987: Piper PA36375, Mullica Hill, NJ, Destroyed. The agricultural spray aircraft failed to climb and hit trees. Pilot attempted to dump load but it did not help.

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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