# NTSB NYC87FA038: Piper PA-28-161, N8130A, Glen Mawr, PA, November 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1986, 17:44 local (22:44 UTC)
- Place: Glen Mawr, PA
- Coordinates: 41.349021, -76.600013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3490&lon=-76.6000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30476
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30476/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - comm/nav equipment,localizer receiver - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not attained
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DRG ARRIVAL, THE ACFT WAS VECTORED TO INTERCEPT THE ILS RWY 27 LOCALIZER (LOC) BFR REACHING THE MUNCI INITIAL APCH FIX (IAF), WHICH WAS 21.5 MI FM THE RWY. THE ATC CONTROLLER (CTLR) TOLD THE PLT TO MAINT 4000' UNTIL ON THE LOC, THEN CLRD HIM FOR THE APCH. FROM THE IAF, THE MIN ALT ON THE APCH WAS 3700' UNTIL INTERCEPTING THE ILS GLIDE SLOPE (GS) AT THE PICTURE ROCKS NDB (FAF). THE NDB WAS 9.4 MI FROM THE ARPT; THE OUTER MARKER (OM) WAS 4.8 MI FROM THE RWY. AS THE PLT CONTD, HE RPRTD THAT HIS INSTRUMENTS SHOWED HE WAS ON THE GS AT 2700', BUT THAT HE WAS STILL HEADED INBND TWD THE NDB. THE CTLR WARNED THAT THE ACFT SHOULD BE AT 3700' UNTIL REACHING THE NDB & REPEATED THE ALTIMETER SETTING. MOMENTS THERE-AFTER, THE CTLR LOST CONTACT WITH THE ACFT. IT CRASHED NR THE TOP OF A HILL ON WOODED TERRAIN AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 2400',APRX 9 MI BFR REACHING THE NDB. AN EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT NAV EQUIP WAS PROPERLY SET. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAIL- URE WAS FND. THE ILS SYS WAS FLT CHECKED & FND TO OPERATE NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8130A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8130A-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 28-8016157, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8016157
- Airframe hours: 1995
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mahlon R. Aldrdge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 3, 1986, 12 hours before
- Departed: MCI, MUNCIE, IN
- Destination: IPT, WILLIAMSPORT, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IPT, Williamsport, runway 27, 6,449 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,205 total, 282 in this make and model, 1,111 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPT, 19 nm away

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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