# NTSB NYC91FA099: Piper PA-32-260, N3667W, Naples, NY, April 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1991, 17:19 local (22:19 UTC)
- Place: Naples, NY
- Coordinates: 42.609493, -77.399444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6095&lon=-77.3994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA099

## Probable cause

FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN STRUCTURAL (WING) ICE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - wing - ice (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A DEPARTURE AND WAS CLEARED TO CLIMB TO 9000 FT.  DURING THE LAST PORTION OF THE CLIMB, THE RATE OF CLIMB DECREASED.  AFTER REACHING 8000 FT, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A DESCENT TO 4100 FT, THEN IT CLIMBED TO 5100 FT.  THE AIRPLANE THEN ENTERED ANOTHER DESCENT, LEVELED OFF AT 3800 FT AND DISPPEARED FROM RADAR. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AND CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT A HIGH POWER SETTING BEFORE IMPACT.  NO PREIMPCT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.  ICING CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT AND THE PILOT HAD COMMENTED ABOUT ENCOUNTERING ICE ON HIS PREVIOUS FLIGHT (TO ROCHESTER).  THERE WERE REPORTS OF MODERATE RIME ICING FROM AN MD-80 AND A BEECH 99.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3667W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3667W-1995-04-05), registration cancelled 1995-04-05, S/N 32575 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-575
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard G. Stutesman
- Registered owner: Richard G Stutsman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ROC, ROCHESTER, NY
- Destination: N12, LAKEWOOD, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 770 total, 538 in this make and model, 639 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROC, 30 nm away

## 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 19910402011459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910402011459A), Apr 2, 1991: Piper PA32260, Naples, NY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Radar shows abrupt descent then climb,then high rate descent. Dived into trees. Icing in area.

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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