# NTSB NYC88LA138: Piper PA-28RT-201, N2819J, Millbrook, NY, May 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1988, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Millbrook, NY
- Coordinates: 41.779006, -73.690803 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7790&lon=-73.6908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - cooling system,cowling - unlatched (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED RUNWAY 17 AT SKY ACRES AIRPORT AND AFTER REACHNG AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ENGINE COWLING EXTENDED VERTICALLY, PARTIALLY ATTACHED. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES IN A FIELD 1/2 MILE AWAY WITH THE LANDING GEAR STILL EXTENDED. A WITNESS SAW THE PILOT PLACING THE COWLING ON THE AIRCRAFT EARLIER IN THE DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2819J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2819J-1993-04-07), registration cancelled 1993-04-07, S/N 28R7918158 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7918158
- Airframe hours: 970
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kjz Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 44N, MILLBROOK, NY
- Destination: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY
- Airport: 44N, Sky Acres, runway 17, 3,885 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 840 in this make and model, 3,925 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19880513016739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880513016739A), May 13, 1988: Piper PA28RT201, Millbrook, NY, Substantial damage. Right side of engine cowl opened on climbout. Drag caused control problem,mushed into trees. Pilot closed cowling.

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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