# NTSB NYC87FA172: Piper PA-32RT-300, N222HF, Nantucket, MA, June 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1987, 10:12 local (14:12 UTC)
- Place: Nantucket, MA
- Location: 41.2714° N, 70.0959° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nantucket, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2714&lon=-70.0959&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA172

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, missed approach (ifr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE WEATHER AT THE NANTUCKET AIRPORT WAS BELOW THE PRESCRIBED MINIMA FOR THE ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 24. A BLANKET BROADCAST HAD BEEN MADE ON THE AIR TRAFFIC FREQUENCIES THAT THE NANTUCKET WEATHER WAS BELOW THE MINIMA FOR MOST USERS AND, THEREAFTER, THE CONTROLLER PROVIDED THE PILOT WITH THE WEATHER AT HIS DESTINATION. THE PILOT WAS CLEARED FOR THE ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 24 BUT REPORTED A MISSED APPROACH AFTER PASSING THE OUTER MARKER. THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PILOT TO REMAIN ON THE RUNWAY HEADING AND CONTACT DEPARTURE. THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE FLIGHT. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT DESCEND OUT OF THE FOG AND CRASH INTO TREES ABOUT A MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222HF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222HF-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 32R-7885284, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7885284
- Airframe hours: 766
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph W.Foley
- Registered owner: Joseph W Foley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1986, 87 hours before
- Departed: PWD, PROVIDENCE, RI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ACK, Nantucket Memorial, runway 24, 6,303 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,460 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACK, 1 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 19870613020069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870613020069A), Jun 13, 1987: Piper PA32RT300, Nantucket, MA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Advised missed approach. Weather below IFR minima. Observed diving out of clouds, mile north of airport.

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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