# NTSB NYC88LA043: Piper PA-32-300, N9055F, Montoursville, PA, November 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1987, 20:44 local (Nov 16, 1987, 01:44 UTC)
- Place: Montoursville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.239192, -76.920745 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2392&lon=-76.9207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA043

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,aeronautical light beacon(obst) - not operating (contributing factor)
  - airport operations - inadequate, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT REMAINED IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO PRACTICE TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS. HE MADE A TOUCH-&-GO, THEN RPRTD ON A RIGHT DOWNWIND FOR ANOTHER LANDING. HE ACKNOWLEDGED A CLEARANCE TO CONTINUE, BUT MOMENTS LATER, AN ELT SIGNAL BEGAN TRANSMITTING. ABOUT 1 HR LATER, THE ACFT WAS FND WHERE IT HIT TREES & CRASHED, APRX 2-1/2 MI NW OF THE ARPT, NEAR THE TOP OF A HILL. ELEV OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 985 FT; THE ARPT ELEV WAS 529 FT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. AN OBSTRUCTION LIGHT HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE HILLTOP, BUT IT HAD BEEN INOP FOR SVRL YEARS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9055F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9055F-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 327740027 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7740027
- Airframe hours: 3541
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Theodore Peet
- Registered owner: Lycoming Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 23, 1987, 41 hours before
- Departed: IPT, WILLIAMSPORT, NY
- Airport: IPT, Williamsport/Lycoming Co, runway 27, 6,449 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 951 total, 173 in this make and model, 846 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPT, 1 nm away

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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