# NTSB NYC89FA166: Piper PA-28-236, N2829D, Thomasville, PA, July 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1989, 21:30 local (Jul 17, 1989, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Thomasville, PA
- Coordinates: 39.920913, -76.870513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9209&lon=-76.8705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA166

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FLY THE PUBLISHED APPROACH PROCEDURE, WHICH RESULTED IN CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA28-236 WAS CLEARED FOR AN NDB APPROACH AND RADAR SERVICE WAS TERMINATED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN BY SEVERAL WITNESSES FLYING VERY LOW, ABOUT 1 MILE WEST OF THE INBOUND PUBLISHED APPROACH COURSE ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE POOR WITH LOW VISIBILITY, DUE TO FOG AND DRIZZLE. THE AIRPORT IS EQUIPPED WITH RUNWAY STROBE LIGHTS, BUT THERE WERE NO WITNESSES THAT COULD REMEMBER IF THEY WERE ON OR OFF AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. WHEN LAST SEEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW PERPENDICULAR (EAST) TO THE INBOUND COURSE, IT THEN TURNED LEFT, FLYING AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2829D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2829D-1990-06-18), registration cancelled 1990-06-18, S/N 287911193 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7911193
- Airframe hours: 2703
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J35D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy Brotherhood/K. Mitzel
- Registered owner: Brotherhood, R./Mitzel, K.W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1988, 205 hours before
- Departed: AGC, ALLEGHENY CITY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: THV, York-Thomaswke, runway 16, 4,190 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 571 total, 288 in this make and model, 392 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CXY, 15 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 19890716022339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890716022339A), Jul 16, 1989: Piper PA28236, York, PA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Observed low flying perpendicular to runway. Hit ground and cartwheeled. Was on adf approach.

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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