# NTSB NYC87FA252: Piper PA-28-140, N670FL, East Granby, CT, September 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1987, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: East Granby, CT
- Location: 41.9412° N, 72.7273° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of East Granby, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9412&lon=-72.7273&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA252

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - object - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED SIMSBURY AIRPORT ON A X-COUNTRY FLIGHT AND CRASHED 4.5 MILES TO THE NORTH IN BRADLEY INTL AIRPORT TRAFFIC AREA. WITNESSES IN THE CRASH SITE AREA SAW AN AIRCRAFT FLYING IN AND OUT OF CLOUDS PRIOR TO HEARING THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N670FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N670FL-1988-06-08), registration cancelled 1988-06-08, S/N 287125595 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7125595
- Airframe hours: 1299
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur J. Weyrauch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1987
- Departed: 4B9, SIMSBURY, CT
- Destination: 3G8, BATAVIA, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 62 total, 25 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19870912051599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870912051599A), Sep 12, 1987: Piper PA28140, East Granby, CT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into side of a cloud obscured ridge. Was in the bradley airport traffic area without a clearance.

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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