# NTSB NYC87FA061: Piper PA-32-260, N3293W, Westerly, RI, January 20, 1987 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: January 20, 1987, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Westerly, RI - Location: 41.3733° N, 71.8068° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Westerly, RI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3733&lon=-71.8068&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1989 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30481 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30481/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA061 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, climb - to cruise - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - Midair collision, cruise - normal - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PIPER PA-32-260 WAS TAKING OFF FROM AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT AND MAKING A LEFT DOWNWIND DEPARTURE. A SECOND AIRCRAFT, A PIPER PA-28-181 WAS TRANSITING THE AREA 1 MILE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT AN AN ALTITUDE OF 1500 FT AGL. THE PA-28-181 SAW THE PA-32-260 JUST PRIOR TO CONTACT AND MADE A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL STRUCK THE AFT PORTION OF THE LEFT WING TIP OF THE PA-28-181. THE RIGHT OUTBOARD AILERON HINGE WAS DESTROYED AND THE AILERON BENT BACKWARD AND UP. THE PA-32-260 RECEIVED A SMALL CUT ON THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE AND A SCRAPE ON THE OUTSIDE PORTION OF THE WHEEL RIM. THE PILOT OF THE PA-32-260 SAID HE NEVER SAW THE OTHER AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO CONTACT. TWO PASSENGERS, ONE IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT AND THE OTHER IN THE RIGHT REAR SEAT OF THE PA-32-260 BOTH SAW THE PA-28-181 PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. BOTH AIRCRAFT LANDED SAFELY. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) THE PIPER PA-32-260 WAS TAKING OFF FROM AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT AND MAKING A LEFT DOWNWIND DEPARTURE. A SECOND AIRCRAFT, A PIPER PA-28-181 WAS TRANSITING THE AREA 1 MILE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1500 FT AGL. THE PA-28-181 SAW THE PA-32-260 JUST PRIOR TO CONTACT AND MADE A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL STRUCK THE AFT PORTION OF THE LEFT WING TIP OF THE PA-28-181. THE RIGHT OUTBOARD AILERON HINGE WAS DESTROYED AND THE AILERON BENT BACKWARD AND UP. THE PA-32-260 RECEIVED A SMALL CUT ON THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE AND A SCRAPE ON THE OUTSIDE PORTION OF THE WHEEL RIM. THE PILOT OF THE PA-32-260 SAID HE NEVER SAW THE OTHER AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO CONTACT. TWO PASSENGERS, ONE IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT AND THE OTHER IN THE RIGHT REAR SEAT OF THE PA-32-260 BOTH SAW THE PA-28-181 PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. BOTH AIRCRAFT LANDED SAFELY. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N3293W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3293W-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 32-126, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-126 - Airframe hours: 12441 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E465 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: New England Airlines - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, December 23, 1986, 17 hours before - Departed: WST - Destination: BID, BLOCK ISLAND, RI - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: runway 32 ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N4319Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4319Y), registered now, S/N 28-8490010, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8490010 - Airframe hours: 748 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Three Wing Crop. Of Conn. - Registered owner: Russell Peppet - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 30, 1986, 9 hours before - Departed: BDR, BRIDGEPORT, CT - Destination: ACK, NANTUCKET, MA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N3293W; age 26; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 600 in this make and model, 2,150 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N4319Y; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 221 total, 26 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GON, 11 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. --- 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.