# NTSB NYC90LA218: Piper PA-38-112, N4268E, Quarryville, PA, September 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1990, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Quarryville, PA
- Coordinates: 39.890354, -76.160224 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8904&lon=-76.1602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA218

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE CLIMBING TO AVOID WIRES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CIRCLING IN THE AREA OF A COMPANY PICNIC. A WITNESS SAID, 'HE CAME THROUGH THE FIELD TOWARD SOME POWERLINES AND PULLED UP AT A STEEP ANGLE TO AVOID THEM. HE CRASHED IN A COW FIELD BOUNCING BEFORE STOPPING.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4268E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4268E-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 38-78A0516 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0516
- Airframe hours: 4375
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: New Garden Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, August 30, 1989, 24 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 100 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported

## 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 19900909053089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900909053089A), Sep 9, 1990: Piper PA38112, Quarryville, PA, Destroyed. Stalled and crashed while circling a picnic area at low altitude. Had pulled up to miss a powerline.

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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