# NTSB NYC88LA137: Piper PA-24-250, N6762P, Blairstown, NJ, May 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1988, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Blairstown, NJ
- Location: 40.9711° N, 74.9975° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BLAIRSTOWN (1N7), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9711&lon=-74.9975&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA137

## 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 - final approach
  - object - tower
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS ON FINAL FOR RUNWAY 7 FOLLOWING ANOTHER AIRPLANE, WHEN THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO A GLIDER MANEUVERING IN THE AREA. HE YIELDED LEFT TO MAINTAIN A COMFORTABLE DISTANCE FROM THE GLIDER AND FAILED TO OBSERVE AN ANTENNA TOWER IN HIS PATH. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE ANTENNA THEN CONTINUED INBOUND AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6762P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6762P), registered now, S/N 241892 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1892
- Airframe hours: 3665
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James A.Starrett
- Registered owner: James Starrett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1987
- Airport: 1N7, Blairstown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,600 total, 1,520 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19880507015189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880507015189A), May 7, 1988: Piper PA24250, Blairstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Struck the top of a radio tower on approach but landed safely on the runway. Blamed deviating for a glider in area.

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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