# NTSB NYC89LA058: Piper PA-60, N90393, Somerville, NJ, December 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1988, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Somerville, NJ
- Location: 40.5697° N, 74.6077° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Somerville, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5697&lon=-74.6077&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA058

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISIONS WHILE APPROACHING THE AIRPORT ON FINAL APPROACH WITH DEFECTIVE MAGNETOS. THE RIGHT FUEL SELECTOR WAS PLACED IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND, RAISED THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS, FAILED TO MAINTAIN VMC, AND CRASHED INTO WOODED TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - ignition system,magneto - burned (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,magneto - worn (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - closed (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 30 AT SOMERSET AIRPORT, SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY WHEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER OF THE RIGHT ENGINE. THE PILOT RAISED THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS, AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT, DESCENDED TOWARD THE GROUND AND CRASHED. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE TO THE RIGHT WING TANK WAS IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE RIGHT ENGINE MAGNETOS WERE DEFECTIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90393](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90393-1991-04-25), registration cancelled 1991-04-25, S/N 600224095 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 600](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-600) (registry code 8360602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60-0224-095
- Airframe hours: 2049
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1F5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Albert T. Gianchiglia
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 29, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: 1N7, BLAIRSTOWN, NJ
- Destination: N52
- Airport: N52, Somerset, runway 30, 2,735 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 800 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABE, 35 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 19881231057159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881231057159A), Dec 31, 1988: Piper PA60600, Somerville, NJ, Destroyed. Appears problem right engine. Stalled and rolled over on right turn go around. Both engines mags in poor condition.

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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