# NTSB NYC87FA188: Piper PA-32R-300, N7146C, Tannersville, NY, June 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1987, 21:15 local (Jun 26, 1987, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Tannersville, NY
- Coordinates: 42.189422, -74.129539 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1894&lon=-74.1295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA188

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr procedures - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A VFR AIR TAXI CARGO FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON THE EAST SIDE OF HIGH PEAK MOUNTAIN, ELEVATION 3,655 FEET. THE ACCIDENT SITE ELEVATION WAS 3080 FEET. A WITNESS SAID IT WAS HEAVY OVERCAST, NOT RAINING AND THE CLOUDS WERE NOT BELOW THE MOUNTAIN TOPS. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE MOON WAS BELOW THE HORIZON, SUNSET AND CIVIL TWILIGHT WERE AT 2038 AND 2113, RESPECTIVELY, AND CLOUDS 3000 TO 5000 FEET SCATTERED, 10,000 TO 12,000 FEET SCATTERED, LAYERS OCCASIONALLY BROKEN. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7146C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7146C-1989-09-29), registration cancelled 1989-09-29, S/N 32R7680041 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7680031
- Airframe hours: 9825
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Chester Airport, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 13, 1987, 14 hours before
- Departed: UKT, QUAKERTOWN, PA
- Destination: 5B2, SARATOGA SPRING, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,488 total, 17 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 37 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 19870625027379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870625027379A), Jun 25, 1987: Piper PA32R300, Tannersville, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of a wooded mountain at night. Heavy overcast in area. Pilot operated below safe altitude for area.

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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