# NTSB NYC87LA073: Piper PA-28-235, N8820W, Shelburne, VT, February 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1987, 14:49 local (19:49 UTC)
- Place: Shelburne, VT
- Location: 44.3913° N, 73.2182° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shelburne, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3913&lon=-73.2182&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA073

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT MISJUDGED HEIGHT OF SNOWBANK AT THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO DESCEND TOO LOW. THE MAIN GEAR COLLIDED WITH THE SNOWBANK CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8820W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8820W-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 28-10368, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10368
- Airframe hours: 2394
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William David Noel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1986, 6 hours before
- Airport: 9B3, Shelburne, runway 1, 2,500 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 326 total, 61 in this make and model, 246 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870201001989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870201001989A), Feb 1, 1987: Piper PA28235, Shelburne, VT, Substantial damage. Unable to clearly define runway due to snow cover blending with snowbanks. Aircraft struck snowbank on runway edge.

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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