# NTSB NYC87LA001: Piper PA-28RT-201, N8320A, Caldwell, NJ, October 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1986, 00:15 local (04:15 UTC)
- Place: Caldwell, NJ
- Location: 40.8752° N, 74.2814° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ESSEX COUNTY (CDW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8752&lon=-74.2814&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - landing light(s) - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,visual apch slope ind(vasi) - inoperative (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT IN COMMAND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO BECOME TOO LOW DURING A NIGHT SIMULATED EMERGENCY (ENGINE OUT) DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE TOPS OF TREES, BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8320A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8320A-1988-04-01), registration cancelled 1988-04-01, S/N 28R8118048 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R8118048
- Airframe hours: 1737
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Robert A. Goldstone Aviation
- Registered owner: General Aviation Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1986, 45 hours before
- Departed: TETERBORO, NJ
- Airport: CDW, Essex, runway 22, 4,550 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,047 total, 10 in this make and model, 980 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 12 statute miles

## 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 19861001046859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861001046859A), Oct 1, 1986: Piper PA28RT201, Caldwell, NJ, Substantial damage. Came too low on night engine out demo. Struck tree tops. Lost control. Fell to ground.

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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