# NTSB NYC87FA006: Piper PA-28-140, N38688, Holyoke, MA, October 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1986, 19:37 local (23:37 UTC)
- Place: Holyoke, MA
- Location: 42.1649° N, 72.6780° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from WESTFIELD-BARNES RGNL (BAF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1649&lon=-72.6780&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA006

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SPECIAL VISUAL FLIGHT RULES ARRIVAL WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A ROCK FACE SLOPE 2 MILES EAST OF THE AIRPORT WHILE ON A EASTERLY HEADING. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED OVER 1 HOUR AFTER SUNSET. THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT RATING. THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE FATALLY INJURED. A SPECIAL WEATHER OBSERVATION TAKEN RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHOWED THE WEATHER TO BE: ESTIMATED 400 FT BROKEN, 1400 FT OVERCAST. VISIBILITY 1 1/2 MILES WITH LIGHT RAIN AND FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38688](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38688-1989-07-25), registration cancelled 1989-07-25, S/N 287725259 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7725259
- Airframe hours: 3800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-ED3 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gerald C. White
- Registered owner: Robert Mcneill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1986, 51 hours before
- Departed: 7B2, NORTHAMPTON, MA
- Destination: BAF, WESTFIELD, MA
- Airport: BAF, Barnes

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 230 total, 90 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BAF, 2 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 19861003047559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861003047559A), Oct 3, 1986: Piper PA28140, Westfield, MA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircraft hit a ridge while circling VFR to land. Altimeter setting put aircraft 120 feet lower than actual.

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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