# NTSB NYC89LA207: Piper PA-28-180, N9334J, Sanbornton, NH, September 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1989, 22:00 local (Sep 2, 1989, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Sanbornton, NH
- Location: 43.4892° N, 71.5823° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sanbornton, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4892&lon=-71.5823&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA207

## Probable cause

VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC) BY THE PILOT, AND HIS INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION TO CORRECT THE SITUATION.  THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND DARKNESS WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - control interference - performed, passenger

## Analysis

AFTER THE PLT OF PIPER PA-28, N9334J, TOOK OFF AT NGT BEHIND CESSNA, N65595, HE AND THE OTR PLT ENCTRD MARGINAL WX CONDS.  A PSGR OF N9334J RPRTD THE 2 ACFT ENCTRD LOW CLDS & TURBC.  HE SAID THE 2 ACFT CONVERGED TO W/I 100' OF EACH OTHER & THE PA-28 PLT TOOK ACTION TO MAINT SEPN FM THE CESSNA. THE PA-28 PLT RPRTD THAT AFTER ENCTRG ADVERSE WX, HE ELECTED TO RTRN TO THE ARPT; HOWEVER, HIS ACFT ENCTRD SVR TURBC AND WINDSHEAR THAT RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ALT. HE SAID HE LEVELED THE WINGS & APPLIED FULL PWR, BUT THE PSGR PANICKED & PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE, WHICH AGGRAVATED THE SITUATION. THE PSGR SAID THAT HE GRABBED & PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE, ONLY WHEN A NOSE DOWN COLLISION WITH TERRAIN WAS IMMINENT.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A HAYFIELD & SLID ON ITS BELLY TO A STOP.  A WITNESS RPRTD LOW CLDS, FOG AND RAIN.  THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE GSTG TO 30 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9334J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9334J-1992-10-26), registration cancelled 1992-10-26, S/N 283431 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3431
- Airframe hours: 3501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: A G. Allen & R. Hanlon
- Registered owner: Cherokee Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1989, 1,122 hours before
- Departed: LCI, LACONIA, NH
- Destination: 2B2, NEWBURYPORT, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 634 total, 608 in this make and model, 559 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 22 knots, gusting 30
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 68 °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 19890901033609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890901033609A), Sep 1, 1989: Piper PA28180, Sanbornton, NH, Substantial damage. Took off into dark rainy night. Flew into clouds and rough air. Made 180. Lost control. Passenger was on controls.

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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