# NTSB NYC87FA241: Piper PA-23-160, N4003P, Selinsgrove, PA, August 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1987, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Selinsgrove, PA
- Coordinates: 40.800537, -76.859802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8005&lon=-76.8598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30510
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30510/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA241

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT IN AN OVERWEIGHT AIRCRAFT IN CONDITIONS OF LOW CEILINGS AND FOG. AFTER A TOUCH AND GO LANDING THE AIRCRAFT STALLED DURING THE TAKEOFF THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4003P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4003P-1990-05-17), registration cancelled 1990-05-17, S/N 231478 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1478
- Airframe hours: 3960
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Karl Kovacs
- Registered owner: Penn Valley Airport Authority
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: SEG, SELINSGROVE, PA
- Airport: SEG, Selinsgrove, runway 35, 3,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; 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: 1,597 total, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPT, 24 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 19870828083459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870828083459A), Aug 28, 1987: Piper PA23160, Selingsgrove, PA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Stalled and spun in while banking steeply on takeoff.

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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