# NTSB NYC90LA217: Piper PA-16, N5972H, Red Hook, NY, September 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1990, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Red Hook, NY
- Coordinates: 41.989227, -73.869697 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9892&lon=-73.8697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36738/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA217

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND DEPARTURE OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY DURING THE LANDING ROLL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A TREE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPEREINCE IN THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A THREE POINT LANDING WAS BEING MADE ON RUNWAY 19. THE PILOT SAID, '...I HAD A LITTLE WEATHER VANE TO THE RIGHT, I CORRECTED TO THE LEFT BUT WITH A LITTLE TOO MUCH CAUSING ME TO LEAVE THE PAVEMENT ONTO THE GRASS.' AS HE TURNED LEFT TO AVOID STRIKING RUNWAY LIGHTS, THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK A TREE AND THE AIRPLANE SPUN TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT FURTHER STATED, '...MORE TIME BY PIC WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ACCID [SIC] LOW TIME BY PIC.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5972H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5972H), registered now, S/N 16-596, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-16
- Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16-596
- Airframe hours: 1586
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel L. Hickey
- Registered owner: Athol Orange Aero Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1989, 31 hours before
- Departed: ORE, ORANGE, MA
- Destination: 46N, RED HOOK, NY
- Airport: N46N, Sky Park, runway 19, 2,685 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 172 total, 8 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19900909038599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900909038599A), Sep 9, 1990: Piper PA16, Red Hook, NY, Substantial damage. Over corrected directional control landing. Exited runway and struck a tree. Lacked adequate check out in type.

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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