# NTSB NYC87LA123: Piper PA-23-250, N40395, Nantucket, MA, April 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1987, 22:08 local (Apr 17, 1987, 02:08 UTC)
- Place: Nantucket, MA
- Location: 41.2533° N, 70.0605° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NANTUCKET MEML (ACK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2533&lon=-70.0605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30628
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30628/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA123

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, missed approach (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - inoperative
  - go-around - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PIPER PA-23-250 ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND AFTER CROSSING THE THRESHOLD AND OBSERVING THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE NOT ON DURING A NIGHT INSTRUMENT APPROACH. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ADDED FULL POWER AND RETRACTED THE WING FLAPS. THE PROCEDURE IN THE PIPER MANUAL IS TO ADD FULL POWER, RETRACT THE LANDING GEAR, AND THEN SLOWLY RETRACT THE WING FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT MADE GROUND CONTACT WITH THE LANDING GEAR STILL EXTENDED AND IT PASSED THROUGH A DRAINAGE DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40395](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40395-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 27-7305158, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 277305158
- Airframe hours: 4715
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Haverford-Covington,Inc.
- Registered owner: Haverford Bristol, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- 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 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 610 total, 320 in this make and model, 506 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACY

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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