# NTSB NYC87FA265: Beech D95A, N7955M, Pittstown, NJ, September 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1987, 07:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place: Pittstown, NJ
- Location: 40.5820° N, 74.9591° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pittstown, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5820&lon=-74.9591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA265

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible

## Analysis

PILOT DEPARTED RUNWAY 26 AT ALEXANDRIA ARPT TOWARD TREES IN FOG. LEFT WING HIT TREES. ACFT LANDED HARD COLLAPSING LANDING GEAR. ACFT HIT A TREE IN AREA OF PILOT SEAT DURING LNDG FATALLY INJURING THE PLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7955M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7955M-1989-11-21), registration cancelled 1989-11-21, S/N TD667 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D95A
- Registry model: [Beech D95A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d95a) (registry code 1153408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TD667
- Airframe hours: 3329
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1B 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Peter P. Vaida
- Registered owner: Alexandria Pilots Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1987, 5 hours before
- Departed: N85, PITTSTOWN, NJ
- Destination: BDR, BRIDGEPORT, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; 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: 2,000 total, 27 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## 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 19870929057319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870929057319A), Sep 29, 1987: Beech D95A, Pittstown, NJ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off in near zero fog condition. Lost control on climbout and crashed into trees. Sky clear above fog layer.

## Other investigations on N7955M (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC75FHA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75FHA13), Aug 8, 1974: Beech D95A (N7955M), Pittstown, NJ, substantial damage

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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