# NTSB NYC87LA152: Piper PA-28, N4387X, Reading, PA, May 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1987, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Reading, PA
- Location: 40.3785° N, 75.9652° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at READING RGNL/CARL A SPAATZ FLD (RDG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3785&lon=-75.9652&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN (DRG LNDG) ABOUT 10 FT RGT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE. HE STATED THAT AFTER THE ACFT ROLLED ABOUT 50 YDS, HE HEARD A 'BUMP' & THE ACFT VEERED RGT. HOWEVER, THE TOWER CONTROLLER STATED THAT THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN THE GRASS ON THE RGT SIDE OF THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT A RWY DISTANT MARKER WITH THE RGT WING, WENT UP ON ITS NOSE & CAME TO REST IN THE GRASSY AREA. THE WIND HAD BEEN VARIABLE FROM 240 TO 300 DEG AT 7 TO 14 KTS. JUST BEFORE LNDG, THE WIND WAS FROM 240 DEG AT 8 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4387X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7625026
- Airframe hours: 4837
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Kaley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1986, 23 hours before
- Departed: 7N8, BALLY, PA
- Airport: RDG, Reading, runway 31, 6,350 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 184 total, 12 in this make and model, 184 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19870517013549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870517013549A), May 17, 1987: Piper PA28140, Reading, PA, Substantial damage. Landed adjacent to runway on grass. Struck runway marker. Variable cross wind a factor. Collapsed nose gear.

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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