# NTSB NYC89FA062: Piper PA-22-150, N5704D, Limington, ME, January 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1989, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Limington, ME
- Location: 43.4169° N, 70.5268° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from LIMINGTON-HARMON (63B), within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4169&lon=-70.5268&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36264/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA062

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS, LACK OF PILOT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT, AND THE LACK OF SHOULDER HARNESS/UPPER BODY RESTRAINT DURING IMPACT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - not installed (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED ON AN APPROACH IN GUSTY, CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.  AT THE THRESHOLD, THE PILOT PULLED UP WITH APPLICATION OF POWER & INITIATED A GO-AROUND & A LEFT TURN. THE AIRCRAFT PASSED VERY LOW OVER TREES NEAR THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES REPORTED THEY OBSERVED THE TAIL PITCH UP & THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & CRASHED.  NO PRE-EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND WITH THE AIRCRAFT.  A SIGMET FOR OCCASIONAL SEVERE TURBULENCE BELOW 6000' & WINDSHEAR WAS IN EFFECT.  HIGH WINDS WERE NOTED OVER A LARGE AREA.  THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A WX BRIEFING FOR THE PILOT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO A TAILWHEEL CONFIGURATION VIA STC.  IT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESSES.  THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER DIED FROM A SEVERE HEAD INJURY.  THE LOW TIME PILOT HAD ONLY 6 HRS FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5704D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5704D-1991-05-31), registration cancelled 1991-05-31, S/N 224400 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-4400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stanley E. Stearns
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1987
- Departed: LYMAN, ME
- Airport: 63B, Limington-Harmon, runway 29, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 85 total, 6 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 20 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 7 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWM, 17 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 19890104000169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890104000169A), Jan 4, 1989: Piper STCPA22, Limington, ME, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Severe turbulence from gusty winds. Pilot began go around and stalled into trees. Was over controlling and too slow

## Other investigations on N5704D (1)

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.

- [NTSB UNK64X0204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0204), Jan 10, 1964: Piper PA22 (N5704D), Boston, MA, substantial damage

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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