# NTSB NYC89LA039: Piper PA-28-181, N8172P, Danielson, CT, November 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1988, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Danielson, CT
- Location: 41.8104° N, 71.8857° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Danielson, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8104&lon=-71.8857&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36341
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36341/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA039

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO RECOGNIZE A STALL AND TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION PRIOR TO EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PIPER MADE A TAKEOFF AND WAS THEN OBSERVED TO DROP ITS RIGHT WING AND VEER TO THE RIGHT STRIKING THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELING ON TOP OF A PARKED UNOCCUPIED CESSNA 172. THE FOUR OCCUPANTS OF THE PIPER ESCAPED PRIOR TO A FIRE WHICH STARTED ABOUT ONE MINUTE AFTER THE COLLISION AND DESTROYED BOTH AIRCRAFT. AN ON BOARD WITNESS SAID HE HEARD A HORN PRIOR TO THE WING DROPPING. THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT REMEMBER THE HORN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8172P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8172P-1991-01-29), registration cancelled 1991-01-29, S/N 288090262 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8090262
- Airframe hours: 1223
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James B. Casavan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1988, 1,223 hours before
- Departed: 5B3, DANIELSON, CT
- Airport: 5B3, Danielson, runway 31, 2,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 100 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19881126052769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881126052769A), Nov 26, 1988: Piper PA28161, Danielson, CT, Destroyed. Lost control on takeoff,dragged a wing and cartwheeled onto top of a parked aircraft. Evacuated. Both craft burned.

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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