# NTSB NYC90LA164: Piper PA-23, N44HH, Shirley, NY, July 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1990, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Shirley, NY
- Coordinates: 40.789745, -72.869438 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7897&lon=-72.8694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA164

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LACK OF QUALIFICATIONS, THE IMPROPER USE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS, THE SECOND PILOT'S LACK OF QUALIFICATIONS, AND HIS DECISION TO SIMULATE THE ENGINE FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - emergency procedure - simulated, other crewmember (cause)
  - inadequate training, other crewmember (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT AT THE CONTROLS HELD A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE WITH A SINGLE ENGINE LAND AIRPLANE RATING. THE SECOND PILOT HELD A COMMERCIAL CERTIFICATE WITH A MULTI ENGINE RATING, BUT DID NOT HOLD A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE. THE PRIVATE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF IN THE MULTI ENGINE AIRPLANE AND WAS OBSERVED BY A POLICE OFFICER/PILOT TO BE APPROXIMATELY 75 TO 100 FEET IN THE AIR. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED AND CONTACTED THE GROUND OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY AFTER A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT INDICATED HE HAD A TOTAL TIME OF 4 HOURS IN MAKE AND MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44HH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44HH-1993-06-16), registration cancelled 1993-06-16, S/N 23458 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-458
- Airframe hours: 3407
- Engines: LYCOMING O-340 170 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph R. Scioscia
- Registered owner: Joseph R Scioscia
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1990, 0 hours before
- Destination: HWV
- Airport: HWV, Brookhaven

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 683 total, 4 in this make and model, 606 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °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 19900714025749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900714025749A), Jul 14, 1990: Piper STCPA23, Shirley, NY, Substantial damage. Second pilot right seat cut an engine on takeoff to simulate engine out. Control was lost. Pilot owner not MEL rated.

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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