# NTSB NYC91FA123: Piper PA-18-150, N102LW, Hancock Village, NY, April 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1991, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Hancock Village, NY
- Coordinates: 41.949478, -75.269248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9495&lon=-75.2692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA123

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH TREES AFTER THE PILOT BECAME PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PILOT RATED PASSENGER WERE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT.  THE PASSENGER STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT WHILE APPROACHING THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT DID NOT TURN TOWARD THE RUNWAY AND BEGAN DESCENDING INTO THE TREES.  THE PASSENGER ADDED 1/2 POWER BUT THE PILOT REDUCED THE POWER.  THE PASSENGER THEN ATTEMPTED TO GAIN CONTROL USING THE CONTROL STICK, HOWEVER, IT WAS 'NOT FREE' AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES.  POST MORTEM EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT REVEALED EVIDENCE OF CORONARY ARTERIOSCLEROSIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N102LW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N102LW), registered now, S/N 18-4383, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4383
- Airframe hours: 1894
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lee Wulff
- Registered owner: Lee Wulff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1991, 5 hours before
- Airport: 4N8, White Brich

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 86; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,118 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19910428012909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910428012909A), Apr 28, 1991: Piper PA18150, Hancock Village, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot slumped over control,CFI in rear seat could not regain control in time to avoid crash.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.