# NTSB NYC87FA244: Piper PA-28-235, N8692W, Altoona, PA, September 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1987, 11:04 local (15:04 UTC)
- Place: Altoona, PA
- Location: 40.5081° N, 78.4011° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Altoona, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5081&lon=-78.4011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA244

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, unqualified person
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, unqualified person (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - flight control,stabilator - separation
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, unqualified person (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED CLEVELAND, OH AT APPROX 0915 HOURS ON AN UNAUTHORIZED FLT TO ATLANTIC CITY, NJ. THE PLT WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE THE AIRCRAFT OR CONDUCT THE FLT DUE TO HIS LICENSE HAVING BEEN REVOKED IN 1977 FOR REPEATEDLY VIOLATING FARS. NEAR ALTOONA, PA THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED IFR WX CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED AN INFLIGHT CONTROL SURFACE SEPARATION. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THERE WAS NO POSTCRASH FIRE, THE PLT WAS NOT IN CONTACT WITH ANY ATC FACILITY, AND THERE IS NO RECORD OF ANY WX BRIEFING OBTAINED BY THE PLT. THE PLT'S FLT TIMES WERE NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8692W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8692W-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 28-10225, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10225
- Airframe hours: 3596
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John C. Gibson
- Registered owner: Nelson Gardner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1987, 90 hours before
- Departed: CLEVELAND, OH
- Destination: ALTOONA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; medical: unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AOO, 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 19870906050089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870906050089A), Sep 6, 1987: Piper STCPA28, Altoona, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control in IMC en route. Aircraft came apart in flight. Pilots certificate had been revoked in 1977.

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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