# NTSB NYC91FA171: Piper PA-28-201T, N8271B, Wernersville, PA, July 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1991, 10:41 local (14:41 UTC)
- Place: Wernersville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.330596, -76.079475 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3306&lon=-76.0795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36798
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36798/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA171

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION/VERTIGO. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S USE OF AN ANTIHISTAMINE AND SELF INDUCED PRESSURE TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD FLOWN TO LANCASTER, PA. TO PICK UP THE 'BEST MAN' FOR HIS WEDDING. THE PILOT FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND DEPARTED IN IFR CONDITIONS. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD LOST THE HORIZON INDICATOR, BUT WAS GOING TO CONTINUE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTROLLER ISSUED A CLEARANCE TO CLIMB TO 6,000 FT. AND A SHORT TIME LATER, THE PILOT STATED '...ITS PRETTY HAZY HERE BUT I KNOW WE'RE ON TOP BUT I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO GO ANY HIGHER.' SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PILOT REPORTED THE 'ELECTRIC COMPASS AND TURN AND BANK INDICATOR' HAD FAILED. ACCORDING TO RADAR DATA, THE MAXIMUM ALTITUDE ATTAINED BY N82718B WAS 5,700 FT. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S VACUUM SYSTEM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE IMPACT FAILURE. TOXICOLOGY TEST REVEALED A LEVEL OF 1.1 MG/KG OF ANTIHISTAMINE IN THE PILOT'S BODY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8271B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8271B-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 28R-8118005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-201T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-201t) (registry code 7102819) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R8118005
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pedersen, Alan W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1990
- Departed: LNS, LANCASTER, PA
- Destination: AVP, WILKES-BARRE, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 753 total, 349 in this make and model, 703 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LNS

## 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 19910705026139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910705026139A), Jul 5, 1991: Piper PA28201T, Vernerville, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot reported altitude instruments failed. Went into spiral dive and crashed into soft ground.

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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