# NTSB NYC90LA153: Piper PA-28, N3776R, High Point Lake, PA, July 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1990, 10:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: High Point Lake, PA
- Coordinates: 40.000419, -79.070938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0004&lon=-79.0709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36683/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA153

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL UPON TOUCHDOWN AND DURING THE GO AROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN UNCONTROLLED CONTACT WITH THE WINDSOCK AND A ROCK QUARRY. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE EXCESSIVE SPEED OF THE AIRCRAFT (REPORTED 80 KNOTS) UPON INITIAL TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN AT A REPORTED SPEED OF 80 KNOTS ON A 1900 FOOT HARD, BUMPY RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE, AND HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND. DURING THE GO-AROUND, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE WINDSOCK AND CARRIED IT ON THE LEFT WING. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED FOR 1/4 MILE, OVER A SLIGHT RISE, AND CAME TO REST IN A ROCK QUARRY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE THREE OCCUPANTS RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3776R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3776R-1992-05-13), registration cancelled 1992-05-13, S/N 285819 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5819
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick A. Butcher
- Registered owner: Annapolis Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ANP, ANNAPOLIS, MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: High Point Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 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 19900708024439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900708024439A), Jul 8, 1990: Piper PA28180, High Point Lake, PA, Destroyed. Ballooned on landing on short rough strip. Began go around,drifted into windsock pole,descended into rock quarry.

## Other investigations on N3776R (2)

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.

- [NTSB NYC73DHD33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73DHD33), Apr 18, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N3776R), Rehoboth Bch, DE, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC71DGM26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71DGM26), Jan 9, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N3776R), Valencia, PA, substantial damage

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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