# NTSB NYC91FA145: Piper PA-32RT-300, N36069, Wallingford, CT, May 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1991, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Wallingford, CT
- Location: 41.4570° N, 72.8232° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wallingford, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4570&lon=-72.8232&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA145

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ATTEMPTING A VFR FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AT AN ALTITUDE THAT WAS INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR TREES ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT RATING, AND HIS OVERCONFIDENCE TO FLY IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - hazardous weather advisory - not obtained, pilot in command
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - disregarded, pilot in command
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

N36069 WAS EN ROUTE TO MERIDEN, CT.  THUNDERSTORMS AND RAIN SHOWERS WERE FORECASTED FOR THE ENTIRE AREA.  THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A WEATHER BRIEFING. WITNESSES HEARD AND SAW N36069 FLYING VERY LOW OVER THEIR HOMES JUST BEFORE THE CRASH IN A WOODED AREA, ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT.  THEY SAID THE ENGINE SOUNDED 'VERY LOUD.'  SEVERAL WITNESSES SAID IT WAS REINING VERY HARD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  ONE WITNESS SAID VISIBILITY WAS ONLY ABOUT '150 FEET.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36069](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36069-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N 32R-7885154, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7885154
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Louis R. D'Agostino
- Registered owner: Lance Transportation & Leasing
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 5B3, DANIELSON, CT
- Destination: MMK, MERIDEN, CT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 950 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken

## 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 19910531018459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910531018459A), May 31, 1991: Piper PA32RT300, Wallingford, CT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees in area of thunderstorms and heavy rain.

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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