# NTSB NYC89FA036: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2153U, Gans, PA, November 19, 1988 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: November 19, 1988, 12:07 local (17:07 UTC) - Place: Gans, PA - Location: 39.7429° N, 79.8242° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gans, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7429&lon=-79.8242&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 36260 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36260/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA036 ## Probable cause PILOT'S BAD JUDGEMENT IN FLYING IN WEATHER CONDITIONS BEYOND THE CAPABILITIES OF HIS AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT OVERSTRESSED THE AIRCRAFT AND SHEARED THE LEFT WING BY MAKING AN ABRUPT TURN IN TURBULENT AIR ABOVE THE DESIGN MANEUVERING SPEED (VA). THE ACCUMULATION OF ICE, FLYING IN IMC CONDITIONS AND A PROBLEM WITH THE ATTITUDE INDICATOR WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - wing - ice (cause) - flight/nav instruments,attitude indicator - failure,partial (contributing factor) - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - wing - overload - wing - separation - stabilizer - overload - stabilizer - separation - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis DRG A WX BRIEFING BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT WAS ADZD OF ICE PELLETS, CLEAR ICING & MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBC IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE OBTAINED AN IFR CLNC AT 1144 EST & WAS EVENTUALLY CLRD TO CLIMB TO 13,000'. THE PLT INQUIRED ABOUT THE CLOUD TOPS & WAS ADZD THEY WERE IN EXCESS OF FL 280. AT 1202 EST, WHILE CLIMBING THRU APRX 11,800', THE PLT REQUESTED CLNC TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE ARPT. HE WAS CLRD TO TURN TO 090 DEG, WHILE ATC WAS COORDINATING AN IFR CLNC BACK TO THE ARPT. AT 1203 EST, THE PLT WAS ASKED IF HE WAS HAVING ANY DIFFICULTY & HE REPLIED THAT HE WAS PICKING UP ICE & WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH HIS ATTITUDE INDICATOR. AT APRX 1204, THE PLT WAS GIVEN A FREQ CHANGE, & SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST. BEFORE THE ACFT CRASHED, A WITNESS SAW IT TUMBLING WITH ONE WING MISSING. THE LEFT WING & PIECES OF THE EMPENNAGE WERE FOUND APRX 1/2 TO 1-1/4 MI FROM THE WRECKAGE WITH EVIDENCE OF POSITIVE OVERLOAD. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2153U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2153U-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 28R-7931098, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7931098 - Airframe hours: 2091 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Jacobs/Daniel Ferri - Registered owner: Daniel Ferri/James W Jacobs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1988, 98 hours before - Departed: 5G8, JEANNETTE, PA - Destination: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, PA - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,513 total, 539 in this make and model, 1,423 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MGW, 9 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 19881119051289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881119051289A), Nov 19, 1988: Piper PA28RT201T, Morgantown, WV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Departed IFR into known icing and severe turbulence. Turned back but lost control on descent. Aircraft came apart. 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.