# NTSB NYC91LA036: Piper PA-28-140, N7400J, Cheswold, DE, November 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1990, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Cheswold, DE
- Coordinates: 39.220432, -75.579917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2204&lon=-75.5799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA036

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT, BY A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIS DECISION TO FLY AFTER HE RECEIVED WEATHER BRIEFINGS WHICH INLCUDED 'VFR FLIGHT NOT RECOMMENDED'.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH TWO PASSENGERS AT NIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND APPROX 27 HOURS LATER. THE AIRPLANE HAD DEPARTED RUNWAY 27 AND THEN CONTACTED TREES LOCATED 600 FT OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY ON A HEADING OF 215 DEGREES. THE DEBRIS WAS SCATTERED ALONG A HEADING OF 285 DEGREES FOR 145 FEET. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREEXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7400J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7400J-1997-09-13), registration cancelled 1997-09-13, S/N 2824763 (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: 28-24763
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Farmer, Mathew
- Departed: N33
- Destination: 2WB, MT MARYS, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 207 total, 77 in this make and model, 161 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.60 inHg
- Observed at: DOV, 8 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 19901123051829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901123051829A), Nov 23, 1990: Piper PA28140, Cheswold, DE, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Departed at night IMC VFR rated. Struck trees 600FT off end runway. Had begun low level turnout. No anomalies.

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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