# NTSB NYC91LA047: Piper PA-28-161, N9898K, Easton, PA, December 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1990, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Easton, PA
- Coordinates: 40.679992, -75.21923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6800&lon=-75.2192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36857
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36857/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA047

## Probable cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO GET TOO LOW ON FINAL APPROACH DURING THE DEMONSTRATION OF A POWER OFF LANDING.

## 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
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CFI WAS DEMONSTRATING A POWER OFF LANDING TO THE STUDENT PILOT. ON SHORT FINAL WITH THE CFI AT THE CONTROLS THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO LOW TO CLEAR A 10 FOOT HILL ABOUT 100 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. THE CFI DEPLOYED THE FLAPS BUT THE AIRPLANE WAS TO SLOW AND DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER APPLIED TO CLEAR THE HILL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9898K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9898K-1991-05-24), registration cancelled 1991-05-24, S/N 287816210 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816210
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Braden Flying Service
- Airport: N43, Easton, runway 18, 2,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,100 total, 800 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19901213053929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901213053929A), Dec 13, 1990: Piper PA28161, Easton, PA, Substantial damage. CFI allowed aircraft to sink too low on demo forced landing. Hit bank short of runway. Used flaps to extend glide.

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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