# NTSB NYC90FA039: Piper PA-31-350, N45CH, Cairo Township, NY, December 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1989, 17:38 local (22:38 UTC)
- Place: Cairo Township, NY
- Coordinates: 42.299335, -73.999702 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2993&lon=-73.9997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36518/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA039

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY INTO THE KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AND HIS FAILURE TO SELECT AN ALTITUDE THAT WOULD PROVIDE TERRAIN CLEARANCE.  FACTORS WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER AND THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR THE FORECASTED CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A PRE-FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING, THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT WAS TOLD BY THE AFSS SPECIALIST THAT MARGINAL VFR AND IFR CONDIITONS WOULD PREVAIL ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE PILOT DID NOT FILE A FLIGHT PLAN. THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST DEPICTED ON RADAR AT 2500 FEET MSL AND HEADING TOWARDS HIGH TERRAIN. A NY STATE TROOPER LEAVING HIS OFFICE ABOUT THE TIME THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED STATED SNOW WAS FALLING VERY HARD AND VISIBILITY WAS LOW. THE STATE TROOPER'S OFFICE WAS ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE AIRPLANE HIT A 3400 FOOT MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 2500 FEET. THE AIRPLANE WAS MISSING 4 DAYS AND WAS FOUND BY THE CREW OF A NY STATE POLICE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45CH-1992-10-26), registration cancelled 1992-10-26, S/N 317852002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7852002
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Aero-Venture Inc.
- Departed: GFL, GLENS FALLS, NY
- Destination: MGJ, MONTGOMERY, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Observed at: ALB, 40 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 19891215057299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891215057299A), Dec 15, 1989: Piper PA31350, Cairo, NY, Destroyed, 6 fatal. Struck mountainside in area of low clouds and heavy snow at night. Revenue flight violation FAR 135.

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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