# NTSB NYC91FA194: Piper PA-32-260, N3722W, Monongahela, PA, August 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1991, 23:12 local (Aug 1, 1991, 03:12 UTC)
- Place: Monongahela, PA
- Coordinates: 40.190685, -79.919761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1907&lon=-79.9198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA194

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ACHIEVE A PROPER TOUCHDOWN ON THE RUNWAY DUE TO DIVERTED ATTENTION, PRESSURE, AND OTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING AT NIGHT, AT AN AIRPORT WITH RUNWAY LIGHTS AND A VASI.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED 160 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND 20 FEET BELOW THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE FUEL TANKS RUPTURED AND THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED FORWARD, COMING TO REST ON THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT AND POST CRASH FIRE.  THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.  THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A EMERGENCY LANDING.  THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PILOT WAS HEAVY IN DEBT AND HAD EMBEZZLED CLIENTS FUNDS.  THE SITUATION HAD REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD HAVE BECOME PUBLIC WITHIN A FEW WEEKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3722W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3722W-2014-10-02), registration cancelled 2014-10-02, S/N 32-634, built 1966 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-634
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul A. Love
- Registered owner: Paul A. Love
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1991
- Departed: AGC, WEST MIFFLIN, PA
- Airport: GO8, Rostraver, runway 25, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,490 total, 556 in this make and model, 1,353 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910731030899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910731030899A), Jul 31, 1991: Piper PA32260, Monongahela, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck embankment short of runway, final night landing uncontrolled airport, aircraft burned.

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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