# NTSB NYC90FA063: Piper PA-28-181, N83253, Fairfield, CT, February 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1990, 14:02 local (19:02 UTC)
- Place: Fairfield, CT
- Location: 41.1412° N, 73.2637° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fairfield, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1412&lon=-73.2637&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA063

## Probable cause

THE INTOXICATED PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN/MAINTAIN A SAFE ALTITUDE TO PROVIDE CLEARANCE FROM THE TREE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO DEPARTING BRADLEY, N83253 WAS CLEARED BY BRADLEY GROUND CONTROL TO TAXI TO RUNWAY 24 FOR AN INTERSECTION DEPARTURE. THE PILOT STARTED TO TAXI TO RUNWAY 06 WHEN GROUND CONTROL ADVISED THAT HE WAS TO TAXI TO RUNWAY 24. BRADLEY TOWER CLEARED N83253 TO TAKEOFF AND REQUESTED THE DIRECTION OF FLIGHT. THE PILOT RESPONDED, 'STRAIGHT OUT'. AFTER DEPARTURE N83253 WAS OBSERVED MAKING A RIGHT TURN TO ABOUT 305 DEGREES. AFTER FLYING ABOUT EIGHT MILES, THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO A WOODED RESIDENTIAL AREA WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOUT 2500 FEET FROM THE PILOT'S HOME. THE PILOT'S BLOOD ETHYNOL LEVEL WAS 220 MG/DL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83253](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83253-1990-10-22), registration cancelled 1990-10-22, S/N 288190287 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8190287
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Three Wing Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 27, 1989
- Departed: BDR, BRIDGEPORT, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BDR, 8 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 19900201001399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900201001399A), Feb 1, 1990: Piper PA28181, Bridgeport, CT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control after takeoff and dived into trees in residential area. High level alcohol in pilots system.

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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