# NTSB NYC91FA097: Piper PA-24-180, N5007P, Muncie Valley, PA, August 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1991, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Muncie Valley, PA
- Coordinates: 41.200325, -76.780097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2003&lon=-76.7801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36785
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36785/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA097

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN VISUAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH TREES.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PRE-FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM EN ROUTE ALTITUDE ON HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command

## Analysis

THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PILOT RECEIVING A WEATHER BRIEFING.  HE DEPARTED VFR DURING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. HE FLEW A VOR AIRWAY AT AN ALTITUDE 2000 FEET BELOW THE PUBLISHED MINIMUM EN ROUTE ALTITUDE FOR THAT ROUTE. THE PILOT HAD AN INSTRUMENT RATING, BUT HE HAD A TOTAL ACTUAL INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME OF 10 HOURS AND 6 APPROACHES. HE DID NOT FILE AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. THE WEATHER ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT WAS REPORTED BY WITNESSES AND REPORTING FACILITIES AS LOW CEILINGS, RESTRICTED VISIBILITY AND RAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5007P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5007P-1991-10-16), registration cancelled 1991-10-16, S/N 2410 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-10
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph J. Duffy
- Registered owner: Joseph J. Duffy
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: AVP, WILKES-BARRE, PA
- Destination: FWA, FORT WAYNE, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 681 total, 450 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken

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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