# NTSB NYC89LA219: Piper PA-22, N2467A, Montague, NJ, September 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1989, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Montague, NJ
- Location: 41.3031° N, 74.7935° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Montague, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3031&lon=-74.7935&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA219

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED GEORGETOWN, DELAWARE FOR MT POCONO, PENNSYLVANIA. HE LANDED AT CHESWOLD, DELAWARE, WHERE HE RECEIVED UPDATED WEATHER FROM MILLVILLE AUTOMATED FSS. THE PILOT DEPARTED AGAIN, BUT DIVERTED TO KUTZTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, LANDED AND REFUELED. HE ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT TO MT POCONO; HOWEVER, ADVERSE WEATHER PRECLUDED A LANDING AND HE CONTINUED EAST NORTHEAST. THE WEATHER CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR SETTLED INTO SOFT MUD AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2467A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2467A-1989-10-18), registration cancelled 1989-10-18, S/N 22-804 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-804
- Airframe hours: 1921
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary Mclaughlin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1989, 43 hours before
- Departed: N31, KUTZTOWN, PA
- Destination: N63, STROUNDSBURG, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 174 total, 40 in this make and model, 111 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °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 19890920035639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890920035639A), Sep 20, 1989: Piper PA22, Montague, NJ, Substantial damage. Encountered worsening weather en route,diverted but ceiling lowered. Elected to land in soft field. Nosed over.

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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