# NTSB NYC88LA174: Piper PA-23-250, N62771, East Hampton, NY, July 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1988, 19:19 local (23:19 UTC)
- Place: East Hampton, NY
- Coordinates: 40.949783, -72.189193 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9498&lon=-72.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS ON DOWNWIND OF A VFR TRAFFIC PATTERN. HE STATED THAT JUST AFTER ENTERING DOWNWIND HE LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR. AS THE SPEED DECREASED BELOW 132 KNOTS HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLES. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. HE REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT PROPELLER RPM SUDDENLY INDICATED 3200. EVENTUALLY THE RPM RECOVERED TO 2700. THE PILOT FELT THAT TOO MUCH ALTITUDE HAD BEEN LOST AND PUT ALL CONTROLS FORWARD WITH ONLY A PARTIAL RESPONSE. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BY THE FAA AND THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO REVEALANY MALFUNCTION OR ABNORMALITIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62771](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62771-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 27-7754011, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: South Fork Flight Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1988
- Departed: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- Airport: HTO, East Hampton, runway 28, 4,242 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 150 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTO

## 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 19880701025179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880701025179A), Jul 1, 1988: Piper PA23250, East Hampton, NY, Substantial damage. Reported power loss on downwind. Descended into trees. No engine defects. Downdrafts in area of thunderstorms.

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.