# NTSB NYC88LA224: Piper PA-28-150, N5474W, Wall Township, NJ, August 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1988, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Wall Township, NJ
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36218
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36218/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA224

## Probable cause

INCAPACITATION OF THE PILOT DUE TO A HEART ATTACK AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN TREES BY A NON-PILOT PASSENGER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, passenger
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, passenger (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PVT PILOT OF A PIPER PA-28-150 TOOK OFF WITH ONE PASSENGER AND FEW MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, HE BECAME UNCONSCIOUS. THE PASSENGER GAVE THE PILOT MOUTH TO MOUTH RESUSCITATION; HOWEVER, THE PILOT WAS NOT REVIVED. THE NON-PILOT PASSENGER ATTEMPTED AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING AND STRUCK TREES. THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE UNCONSCIOUS PILOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE AIRCRAFT WHERE ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REVIVE HIM. HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL MEDICAL FACILITY WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. THE PILOT HAD BEEN UNDER TREATMENT FOR HYPERTENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE). AN AUTOPSY SHOWED SEVERE OCCLUSION OF HIS CORONARY ARTERIES. TOXICOLOGY TEST REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF VERAMPAMIL, A CARDIAC MEDICATION WHICH HAD BEEN PRESCRIBED. THE PASSENGER HAD NO PREVIOUS FLYING EXPERIENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5474W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5474W-2013-04-19), registration cancelled 2013-04-19, S/N 28-556, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-150) (registry code 7102804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-556
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Bunyon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 2N8, MATAWAN, NJ
- Destination: 2N8

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 205 total, 117 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19880821034149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880821034149A), Aug 21, 1988: Piper PA28150, Wall Township, NJ, Substantial damage. Pilot passed out on climbout. Passenger used crp. Then tried off airport landing hit trees. PIC dead. Heart attack.

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.