# NTSB NYC88LA127: Piper PA-28-180, N4893L, Slatington, PA, April 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1988, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Slatington, PA
- Coordinates: 40.749534, -75.60987 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7495&lon=-75.6099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED AT SLATINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA DURING STRONG WIND CONDITIONS. WHEN THE PILOT APPLIED BRAKES, A SUDDEN GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE LEFT WING AND PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, AND INTO A TREE STUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4893L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4893L-1989-08-16), registration cancelled 1989-08-16, S/N 285126 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5126
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vincent J. Zaffino
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RDG, READING, PA
- Destination: 69N, SLATINGTON, PA
- Airport: 69N, Slatington, runway 1, 2,480 × 170 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880417009379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880417009379A), Apr 17, 1988: Piper PA28180, Slatington, PA, Substantial damage. Lost control

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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