# NTSB NYC87LA092: Piper PA-22, N3045Z, Tunkhannock, PA, February 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1987, 21:30 local (Feb 22, 1987, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Tunkhannock, PA
- Coordinates: 41.529514, -75.93972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5295&lon=-75.9397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA092

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS LNDG ON A GRASS RWY WITH AN ACCESS ROAD BORDERING THE APCH END. ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE RWY THRESHOLD, THERE WAS A PILE OF SNOW WHICH PREVIOUSLY HAD BEEN PLOWED FROM THE RWY. IN REFERENCE TO LNDG AT NGT, THE PLT STATED, 'COMING IN ON FINAL, I NOTICED A SLIGHT GROUND FOG, BUT WHEN I SAW RUNWAY, THOUGHT I HAD BANK CLEARED.'  HOWEVER, BEFOREREACHING THE RWY, THE ACFT STRUCK THE SNOWBANK. DURING THE OCCURRENCE, THE NOSE GEAR, PROP, LOWER FWD PART OF THE ACFT & LEFT WING TIP WERE DMGD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3045Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3045Z), registered now, S/N 22-6999, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6999
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David G. Markiarian
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 76N, Sky Haven, runway 36, 1,900 × 254 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 700 total, 700 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870221003059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870221003059A), Feb 21, 1987: Piper PA22160, Tunkhannock, PA, Substantial damage. Came in too low and struck a snowbank that blended into light fog and the twilight.

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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