# NTSB NYC87FA240: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N3025W, Kings Point, NY, August 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1987, 12:21 local (16:21 UTC)
- Place: Kings Point, NY
- Coordinates: 40.820045, -73.740249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8200&lon=-73.7402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA240

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - loose (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - horizontal stabilizer attachment - failure,total
  - wing,spar - failure,total
  - fuselage - failure,total
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N3025W DEPARTED ON A FERRY FLIGHT WITH AN UNSECURED, TEMPORARILY INSTALLED FUSELAGE FUEL TANK. A COMPUTED C.G. AT TAKEOFF SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT ABOUT .9 INCHES AFT OF THE AFT LIMIT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD CLIMBED TO 7000 FEET WHEN THE CONTROLLER SAW THE AIRCRAFT MAKING ERRATIC TURNS. THE PILOT SAID 'WE HAVE PROBLEMS.' THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH N3025W. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY BROKE-UP IN FLIGHT. THE FORECAST THE PILOT RECEIVED INCLUDED MODERATE TURBULENCE AND RAINSHOWERS. THE FERRY TANK INSTALLATION HAD NOT BEEN APPROVED. THE PILOT WAS NEW TO THIS TYPE OF WORK AND REPORTEDLY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO WORK THE FERRY TANK SYSTEM. THE TAKEOFF POSITION OF THE FERRY TANK WAS ESTIMATED. IT HAD BEEN PUSHING OUT THE FUSELAGE BAGGAGE DOOR AND HAD TO BE PUSHED BACK IN AFTER BEING FILLED. IT WAS CONSIDERED LIKELY THAT THE UNSECURED TANK WOULD HAVE MIGRATED, CHANGING THE C.G. IN FLIGHT, ALTERING LONGITUDINAL CONTROL FORCES, AND CAUSING PITCH CONTROL PROBLEMS IN TURBULENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3025W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7931125
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Franklin Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1987
- Departed: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- Destination: YQB, QUEBEC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,487 total, 12 in this make and model, 1,358 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGA, 7 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 19870828048429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870828048429A), Aug 28, 1987: Piper PA28RT201T, Kings Point, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ferry flite with loose fuselage tank. Behind CG. Encountered turbulence. Broke up in air. Tank shifted. Lost contro

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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