# NTSB NYC87FAMS2: Piper PA-28-161, N83232, Nantucket, MA, August 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1987, 20:54 local (Aug 23, 1987, 00:54 UTC)
- Place: Nantucket, MA
- Location: 41.3715° N, 69.8657° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from NANTUCKET MEML (ACK), within about 4 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3715&lon=-69.8657&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30523
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FAMS2
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30523/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FAMS2

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - fog
  - light condition - night

## Analysis

THE PIPER PA-28-161 WITH A PILOT AND PASSENGER ONBOARD DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCOPE WHILE BEING VECTORED TO AN ILS APPROACH TO RWY 24 AT NANTUCKET, MA. THE CONTROLLER OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT IN A SOUTHEASTERLY HEADING AND ASKED THE TOWER CONTROLLER TO QUESTION THE PILOT. THE PILOT REPLIED THAT HE WAS ON THE LOCALIZER. THE LAST OBSERVED ALTITUDE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS 900 FT. AN OIL SLICK AND A NOSE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WERE FOUND OFFSHORE IN THE WATER. HOWEVER NO SERIALIZED COMPONENTS OR MAJOR WRECKAGE WAS RECOVERED. AIRCRAFT DAMAGE AND INJURIES ARE PRESUMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83232](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83232-2013-09-13), registration cancelled 2013-09-13, S/N 28-8316026, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8316026
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph O. Porter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HYA, HYANNIS, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ACK, Nantucket, runway 24, 6,303 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 540 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACK, 13 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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