# NTSB NYC87FA146: Piper PA-32-300, N32774, Sayre, PA, May 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1987, 07:20 local (11:20 UTC)
- Place: Sayre, PA
- Coordinates: 41.970478, -76.530914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9705&lon=-76.5309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30498
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30498/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA146

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - electrical system,electric wiring - arcing (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED IN THE COCKPIT. WHEN THE SMOKE BECAME HVY, THE PLT DECIDED TO LAND. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING ON RISING TERRAIN IN FOGGY CONDS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE HILL & BEGAN BURNING. DRG THE INVESTIGATION, ARCING TYPE BURNS WERE FOUND AROUND THE BOLT & NUT AT THE T1 TERMINAL. ALSO, THE EYELET FITTINGS ON THE ENDS OF 2 WIRES THAT ATTACHED AT THAT LOCATION WERE BADLY BURNED. THE SPECIFIC REASON FOR THE ARCING WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE PLT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW OR AIR TAXI/OPERATING CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32774](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32774-1995-07-25), registration cancelled 1995-07-25, S/N 327540064 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7540064
- Airframe hours: 2233
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Larry D. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1986, 125 hours before
- Departed: N32, SAYRE, PA
- Destination: WASHINGTON, DC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,212 total, 1,096 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELM, 22 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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