# NTSB NYC90FA030: Piper PA-28R-200, N55399, New Castle, NY, November 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1989, 23:35 local (Nov 16, 1989, 04:35 UTC)
- Place: New Castle, NY
- Coordinates: 41.129985, -73.710136 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1300&lon=-73.7101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AND ALIGNMENT WITH THE ILS DURING THE ILS APPROACH AND FAILED TO PERFORM THE MISSED APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON AN ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 16. THE RADAR CONTROLLER SAW THE AIRPLANE GO OFF THE LOCALIZER ONCE TO THE LEFT AND ONCE TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTROLLER WARNED THE PILOT ABOUT THE DEVIATIONS AND ALERTED HIM ABOUT BEING 300 FEET TOO LOW. RADAR LAST SHOWED THE AIRPLANE AT 700 FEET MSL AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE LOCALIZER COURSE. GROUND ELEVATION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS 600 FEET MSL AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A 100 FOOT HIGH TREE. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS PARTIAL OBSCURATION WITH 1/4 MILE VISIBILITY. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 40 SIMULATED INSTRUMENT AND 32 NIGHT FLIGHT HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55399](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55399-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 28R-7335228, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7335228
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Miller, Walter
- Departed: 4G6, HORNEL, NY
- Destination: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HPX, West Chester County, runway 16, 6,548 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 198 total, 2 in this make and model, 174 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HPN, 48 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 19891115045709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891115045709A), Nov 15, 1989: Piper PA28R200, White Plains, NY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees on ILS approach at night near zero IMC. Descended below dh. S turns across localizer. Low IFR skill.

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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