# NTSB NYC87DNE04: Piper PA-28-180, N9558J, Groton, CT, July 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1987, 10:37 local (15:37 UTC)
- Place: Groton, CT
- Location: 41.3301° N, 72.0451° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GROTON-NEW LONDON (GON), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3301&lon=-72.0451&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DNE04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DNE04

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, passenger
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL PERSONNEL RECEIVED A DISTRESS CALL FROM THE NON-PILOT RATED PASSENGER. SHE STATED THAT THE PILOT (HER HUSBAND) WAS INCAPACITATED BY AN APPARENT HEART ATTACK AND SHE WAS NOT QUALIFIED TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT. WITH ASSISTANCE FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, THE PASSENGER BROUGHT THE AIRCRAFT BACK TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED. AS THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OUT AFTER LANDING, IT DRIFTED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH TWO PARKED AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9558J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3689
- Airframe hours: 2643
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Francis Mohr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 29, 1986, 127 hours before
- Departed: GON
- Destination: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Airport: GON, Groton/New London, runway 5, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GON

## 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 19870727038909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870727038909A), Jul 27, 1987: Piper PA28180, Groton - New Lo, CT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Pilot suffered in flight fatal heart attack. His wife landed the aircraft. Lost control struck two parked aircraft.

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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