# NTSB NYC90FA215: Piper PA-32RT-300, N9327C, Montgomery, NY, September 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1990, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Montgomery, NY
- Coordinates: 41.52079, -74.229278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5208&lon=-74.2293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA215

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE DESCEND BELOW TRAFFIC PATTERN ALTITUDE. THE ENGINE WAS HEARD TO SURGE. THE AIRPLANE CAME THROUGH A TREE LINE IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, ROLLED INVERTED, AND CRASHED. EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS, NO FUEL ON THE GROUND, AND NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE. THE ENGINE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TESTED AND IT RAN SATISFACTORILY. RECORDS INDICATED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN TOPPED OFF APPROXIMATELY 1.8 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRPLANE HAD AN OUTSIDE TIEDOWN AND THERE WAS A REPORTED FUEL THEFT A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AT THE SAME AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9327C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9327C-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 32R-7885043, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7885043
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 913 total, 736 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SWF, 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 19900908038469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900908038469A), Sep 8, 1990: Piper PA32RT300, Montgomery, NY, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft below normal pattern altitude,pulled up to recover then went down in steep angle behind trees.

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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