# NTSB NYC90FA051: Piper PA-32R-300, N38389, Great Barrngton, MA, January 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1990, 19:00 local (Jan 19, 1990, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Great Barrngton, MA
- Location: 42.1940° N, 73.3615° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Great Barrington, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1940&lon=-73.3615&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA051

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM TREES WHILE DEPARTING FROM THE AIRPORT.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS ALLOWING THE AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND BALANCE TO BE EXCEEDED, DARKNESS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND FIVE PASSENGERS FLEW TO THE GREAT BARRINGTON AIRPORT TO NIGHT SKI AT A NEARBY AREA.  AFTER ARRIVAL, THEY LEARNED THAT THE SKI FACILITY WAS CLOSED.  THEY DECIDED TO FLY TO PITTSFIELD, MA, WHERE SKI AREAS WERE OPEN.  WHILE DEPARTING FROM RUNWAY 29, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TOP OF A 60 FT TREE, 493 FT FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL, HIT OTHER TREES AND CRASHED.  NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE ACCIDENT.  THE AIRCRAFT'S GROSS WEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 3868 LBS; ITS CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS CALCULATED TO BE 95.71 INCHES.  THE AIRCRAFT'S MAXIMUM CERTIFIED GROSS WEIGHT WAS 3500 LBS AND ITS MAXIMUM AFT CG LIMIT WAS 95 INCHES.  THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT TO THIS AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38389](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38389-1990-10-29), registration cancelled 1990-10-29, S/N 32R7780423 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7780423
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air East
- Destination: PSF, PITTSFIELD,, MA
- Airport: GBR, Great Barrington, runway 29, 2,579 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 325 total, 25 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BAF, 31 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 19900118000699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900118000699A), Jan 18, 1990: Piper PA32R300, Great Barringto, MA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Over gross weight, night takeoff,surrounded by hills and trees and short runway. Struck trees off end of runway.

## Other investigations on N38389 (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC83LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA073), Feb 28, 1983: Piper PA-32R-300 (N38389), Quakertown, PA, substantial damage

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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