# NTSB NYC88LA149: Piper PA-28-161, N84493, Fryeburg, ME, July 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1988, 00:25 local (04:25 UTC)
- Place: Fryeburg, ME
- Location: 44.0201° N, 70.9720° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fryeburg, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0201&lon=-70.9720&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36154
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36154/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA149

## 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
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PILOT HAD BEEN DRINKING AND TWO FRIENDS DROVE HIM TO THE AIRPORT AND WATCHED AS HE DEPARTED. THEY NOTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING STEEPLY AFTER LIFTOFF AND THEN OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT'S ROTATING BEACON AS THE AIRCRAFT SPIRALED TO THE GROUND. THE TOX REPORT REVEALED ETHYL ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.24% AND 0.19% IN THE PILOT'S URINE AND BLOOD, RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84493](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84493-1991-10-10), registration cancelled 1991-10-10, S/N 288216032 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8216032
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: New England Flyers
- Registered owner: Benjamin Franklin Flyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 1988, 3 hours before
- Airport: B20, Eastern Slope Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 160 total, 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19880711026189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880711026189A), Jul 11, 1988: Piper PA28161, Fryeburg, ME, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Intoxicated pilot stalled and spun in off end of runway during dark night departure. Low amount of flight time.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.