# NTSB NYC91FA193: Piper PA-28-236, N28568, Fogelsville, PA, July 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1991, 12:13 local (16:13 UTC)
- Place: Fogelsville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.589767, -75.659233 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5898&lon=-75.6592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA193

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER DECISION BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TO ATTEMPT VFR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY, HIS LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE AND HIS LACK OF AN INSTRUMENT RATING.

## 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
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds
  - weather condition - turbulence
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command
  - airspeed(vne) - exceeded, pilot in command
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT PLANNED A VFR FLIGHT, BUT THE WEATHER AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT REMAINED IFR LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED.  THE WEATHER WAS STILL MARGINAL VFR, WHEN THE PILOT TOOK OFF.  THERE WERE REPORTS OF TURBULENCE, THUNDERSTORMS AND POOR VISIBILITY IN THE AREA.  WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 6700 FEET, THE RADAR DATA SHOWED THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A RAPID DESCENT, WITH VERTICAL VELOCITY EXCEEDING 10,000 FEET PER MINUTE.  THE AIRPLANE WINGS SEPARATED IN FLIGHT AND A WITNESS SAW IT SPIRAL INTO THE GROUND, FOLLOWED BY THE WINGS 3 TO 4 MINUTES LATER.  THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 218 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28568](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28568-1991-12-16), registration cancelled 1991-12-16, S/N 287911167 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7911167
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Albert J. Loquasto
- Registered owner: Albert J. Loquasto
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 1N9, ALLENTOWN, PA
- Destination: HLG, WHEELING, WV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 218.8 total, 65 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken
- Observed at: ABE, 13 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 19910731030889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910731030889A), Jul 31, 1991: Piper PA28236, Fogelsville, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed in field. Low ceiling and buildups in area, evidence of in flight break up.

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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