# NTSB NYC89FA006: Piper PA-28-180, N7293W, Renovo, PA, October 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1988, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Renovo, PA
- Coordinates: 41.320037, -77.740516 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3200&lon=-77.7405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36251/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA006

## Probable cause

IMPROPER VFR PROCEDURES THE PILOT'S VISUAL LOOKOUT WAS IMPROPER AND HE COLLIDED WITH A STATIC WIRE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING EAST OVER THE WEST BRANCH OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH GROUND WIRES THAT CROSSED THE RIVER IN A NORTH-SOUTH DIRECTION. THE WIRES WERE LOCATED APRX 200 FEET ABOVE THE RIVER AND ARE DEPICTED ON SECTIONAL AND TOPOGRAPHIC CHARTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7293W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7293W-1991-11-06), registration cancelled 1991-11-06, S/N 281137 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1137
- Airframe hours: 2754
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald E. Woodhouse
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1988, 39 hours before
- Departed: LHV, LOCK HAVEN, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPT, 38 nm away

## 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 19881007045759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881007045759A), Oct 7, 1988: Piper PA28180, Renovo, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck powerlines and crashed while flying low over a river. Wires at 200 feet above river were not marked.

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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