# NTSB NYC90LA049: Piper PA-34-200T, N1506X, Messena, NY, January 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1990, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Messena, NY
- Coordinates: 44.919345, -74.889709 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9193&lon=-74.8897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36598
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36598/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA049

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE STRIKING A LIGHT POLE DURING AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ON A ROAD, DUE TO A DOUBLE POWER LOSS FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOTS UNFAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - anti-ice/deice system,pitot heat - inoperative
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system - failure,partial
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - unreliable
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - unreliable
- Loss of engine power, circling (ifr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A FERRY FLIGHT WITH ADDITIONAL FUEL TANKS INSTALLED IN THE CABIN. THE PILOT SAID HIS AIRSPEED WAS READING HIGH, THEN IT DROPPED TO ZERO. HE ALSO SAID HE LOST HIS LEFT GENERATOR AND THE FUEL GAGES WERE SHOWING A 100 PERCENT INCREASE IN FUEL CONSUMPTION. HE REQUESTED AN ILS APPROACH TO A NEARBY AIRPORT AND WHILE CIRCLING TO LAND, ON BASE LEG, AND EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE AIRPLANE LANDED ON A ROAD 1000 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, STRIKING A LIGHT POLE WITH THE LEFT WING. THE FAA WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS AND SAID FUEL WAS AVAILABLE IN THE TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1506X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1506X-1993-01-12), registration cancelled 1993-01-12, S/N 347570265 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7570265
- Airframe hours: 2441
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Orient Air Int'L
- Registered owner: Weaver Aero Int'L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1989, 40 hours before
- Departed: AZO, KALAMAZOO, MI
- Destination: BGR, BANGOR, ME
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSS, Messena, runway 23, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,014 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,354 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSS

## 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 19900111000979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900111000979A), Jan 11, 1990: Piper PA34200T, Massena, NY, Substantial damage. Electric power loss. Airspeed loss, possible icing. Diverted. Both engines quit. Hit pole.

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.