# NTSB NYC90LA013: Piper PA-12, N765WM, Palmyra, NY, October 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1989, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmyra, NY
- Coordinates: 43.060977, -77.230735 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0610&lon=-77.2307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA013

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A TIGHT CLOSED PATTERN TURN TO FINAL. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE PILOT INITIATING FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, WHICH INCLUDED FOG AND REDUCED VISIBILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WORSENED SO HE STAYED IN A CLOSED PATTERN TO RETURN AND LAND. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED AT 200 TO 300 FT AGL ON DOWNWIND, THEN A VERY TIGHT TURN AT HIGH BANK ON TO FINAL, THEN A STALL. THE AIRPORT MANAGER REPORTED THE VISIBILITY AS 2,000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N765WM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N765WM-2008-07-16), registration cancelled 2008-07-16, S/N 12-3206, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-3206
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: National Aerial Advertising
- Destination: 9G0, BUFFALO, NY
- Airport: 6G3, Palmyra, runway 35, 3,000 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 868 total, 200 in this make and model, 815 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891015040339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891015040339A), Oct 15, 1989: Piper STCPA12, Palmyra, NY, Substantial damage. Took off for weather check in fog,turned back to return. Stalled turning final.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.