# NTSB NYC87FA262: Piper PA-32-300, N38364, Montoursville, PA, September 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1987, 02:28 local (06:28 UTC)
- Place: Montoursville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.240833, -76.92073 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2408&lon=-76.9207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA262

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)
  - radar,approach/departure - unavailable
  - missed approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT INITIATED THE ILS APPROACH AND ACKNOWLEDGED A FREQUENCY CHANGE. THE ACFT WAS FOUND ON A STEEP HILL ONE MILE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. NO EVIDENCE OF AN ENGINE OR CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. IT APPEARED THAT THE PILOT MADE A MISSED APPROACH AND FLEW INTO HIGH TERRAIN. THERE WAS A 2 1/2 HOUR DELAY BETWEEN THE TIME OF THE CRASH AND CONFIRMATION OF THE CRASH. THE PILOT WAS FOUND OUTSIDE OF THE WRECKAGE APPROXIMATELY 5 HOURS LATER. AN AME SAID THE CRASH WAS SURVIVABLE AND THAT THE PILOT HAD EXITED  THE AIRCRAFT ON HIS OWN AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SERIOUS INJURIES, NONE OF THEM WERE LETHAL. THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 46 DEGREES WITH A WIND CHILL TEMPERATURE OF 36 DEGREES DURING THE NIGHT. THE AUTOPSY SHOWED THE PILOT HAD DIED OF EXPOSURE AND SHOCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38364](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38364-1990-01-26), registration cancelled 1990-01-26, S/N 327740083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327740083
- Airframe hours: 2686
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIG5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paragon Flying Club
- Registered owner: Paragon Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 1987, 8 hours before
- Departed: PWK, WHEELING, IL
- Destination: IPT, WILLIAMSPORT, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IPT, Williamsport, runway 27, 6,449 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPT, 1 nm away

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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