# NTSB NYC91FA205: Piper PA-28-140, N44289, Wawayanda, NY, August 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1991, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Wawayanda, NY
- Coordinates: 41.440353, -74.420623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4404&lon=-74.4206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36806/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA205

## Probable cause

THE PILOT STARTED A SPIN MANEUVER AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO ALLOW RECOVERY.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS SCATTERED CLOUDS AT 2500 FEEL MSL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN BY SEVERAL WITNESSES AT A LOW ALTITUDE, DESCENDING IN A SPIN AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN OPEN FIELD.  VISIBILITY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS ABOUT 30 MILES, HOWEVER, THERE WERE SCATTERED CLOUDS AT 2500 FEET MSL AND THE ELEVATION AT THE CRASH WAS APPROXIMATELY 350 FEET MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44289](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44289-1992-01-30), registration cancelled 1992-01-30, S/N 287425400 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Century Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Century Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1991, 86 hours before
- Departed: MMU, MORRISTOWN, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,502 total, 2,739 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Observed at: SWF, 14 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 19910807032599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910807032599A), Aug 7, 1991: Piper PA28140, Wawayanda, NY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed spinning to ground. CFI and student on CFI evaluation flight. Spins required. Why no recovery unknown.

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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