# NTSB NYC88LA156: Piper PA-28-140, N54368, W. Peru, ME, May 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1988, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: W. Peru, ME
- Location: 44.5212° N, 70.4673° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Peru, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5212&lon=-70.4673&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36161
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36161/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA156

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COCKPIT OF THE PIPER PA-28 FILLED WITH SMOKE AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 800 FT. THE PILOT TRIED TO LAND ON A ROAD AND STRUCK TREES, SHEARING OFF THE WINGS. THE FUSELAGE LANDED ON A ROAD, INVERTED AND WAS IMMEDIATELY ENFULFED IN FLAMES. THE STUDENT PILOT ESCAPED WITH NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED AS THE ENTIRE COCKPIT AREA WAS DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54368](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54368-1989-07-26), registration cancelled 1989-07-26, S/N 287425109 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425109
- Airframe hours: 3150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Daley
- Registered owner: John E Daley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1987, 20 hours before
- Airport: ME22, Swans Field, runway 33, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 130 total, 65 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880529016539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880529016539A), May 29, 1988: Piper PA28140, Dixfield, ME, Destroyed. Cockpit filled with smoke. Struck trees trying to land. Aircraft burned destroying evidence of fire origin.

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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