# NTSB NYC90LA048: Piper PA-28-180, N8201W, Northampton, MA, January 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1990, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Northampton, MA
- Location: 42.3280° N, 72.6112° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NORTHAMPTON (7B2), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3280&lon=-72.6112&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA048

## Probable cause

PILOT'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED NORTHAMPTON FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT AND AFTER A PRACTICE OF SLOW FLIGHT AND ONE POWER-OFF STALL, THE FLIGHT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 040 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS WITH PEAK GUSTS TO 15 KNOTS. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE APPROACH AND TOUCHED DOWN ON RUNWAY 32, BUT DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A STAND OF LARGE BRUSH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8201W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8201W), registered now, S/N 28-2330 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2330
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald C. Allen
- Airport: 7B2, Northhampton, runway 32, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 141 total, 34 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- 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 19900114000589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900114000589A), Jan 14, 1990: Piper PA28180, North Hampton, MA, Substantial damage. On landing, went off left side of runway and struck trees and bushes.

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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