# NTSB NYC87LA246: Piper PA-28, N3023M, Harrisburg, PA, September 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1987, 21:30 local (Sep 5, 1987, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Harrisburg, PA
- Coordinates: 40.230388, -76.869941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2304&lon=-76.8699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA246
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA246

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE DESCENDING FOR A LANDING. THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE THE ENGINE QUIT COMPLETELY. DURING LNDG ALONGSIDE A TURNPIKE, THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND THE PROP WAS DAMAGED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCD WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3023M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3023M-1999-10-18), registration cancelled 1999-10-18, S/N 28-7890285 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7890285
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lexington Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LEXINGTON, KY
- Destination: GROTON, CT
- Airport: CXY, Capital City, runway 8, 4,970 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 107 total, 17 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

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

## Other investigations on N3023M (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC98LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA162), Aug 5, 1998: Piper PA-28-181 (N3023M), West Liberty, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate planning for a downslope landing. A factor was the pilot's lack of training for downslope landing situations.

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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