# NTSB NYC88FA087: Piper PA-31-325, N27400, Hamilton Twp., NJ, February 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1988, 22:02 local (Feb 20, 1988, 03:02 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton Twp., NJ
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35997
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35997/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA087

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, company/operator mgmt (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AT APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE FINAL ON A NIGHT ILS RWY 13 APPROACH. RADAR DATA INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT COMPLETED ALMOST 180 DEGREES OF TURN PRIOR TO DISAPPEARING. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA. NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING FAILURE ON THE ENGINES OR AIRFRAME WAS FOUND. WHEN THE FLYING HISTORY OF THE PILOT WAS EXAMINED, THE HOURS PRESENTED ON HIS RESUME EXCEEDED HIS LOG BOOK AND HIS LOG BOOK HOURS COULD NOT BE TOTALLY VERIFIED. THE CO-PILOT DID NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT RATING. THE PILOT THAT PRECEDED THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT ON THE APPROACH SAID HE EXPERIENCED MODERATE TURBULENCE, WIND SHEAR AND THAT THE APPROACH LIGHTS WERE VERY DISTRACTING. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED WIND SHEAR AND MODERATE TURBULENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27400](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27400-1990-03-27), registration cancelled 1990-03-27, S/N 317712093 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-325
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-325](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-325) (registry code 7103105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7712093
- Airframe hours: 2909
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-F2BD 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Atlantic City Air Taxi
- Registered owner: J.R. Kennard & Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 10, 1988, 18 hours before
- Departed: OWD, NORWOOD, MA
- Destination: ACY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ACY, Atlantic City, runway 13, 10,000 × 180 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,115 total, 135 in this make and model, 813 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACY

## 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 19880219003149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880219003149A), Feb 19, 1988: Piper PA31325, Atlantic City, NJ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control and crashed on night IFR approach in heavy rain and turbulence, co pilot not qualified.

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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