# NTSB NYC91LA061: Piper PA-28R-200, N777CL, Sherburne, VT, January 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1991, 13:44 local (18:44 UTC)
- Place: Sherburne, VT
- Location: 43.6320° N, 72.8082° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from RUTLAND/SOUTHERN VERMONT RGNL (RUT), within about 3 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6320&lon=-72.8082&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA061

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO ICING CONDITIONS WITH AN AIRPLANE NOT EQUIPPED FOR FLIGHT IN KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS.  THIS RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND CONTACT WITH TREES IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOTS DISREGARD OF THE WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED FLIGHT PRECAUTIONS FOR MODERATE ICING, AND HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY AND THE AIRPLANE'S LIMITATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight briefing service - performed, pilot in command
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - anti-ice/deice system - not installed (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE CFI RECEIVED A PRE TAKEOFF WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED FORECAST MODERATE ICING CONDITIONS.  HE TOOK OFF WITH A STUDENT, IN AN AIRPLANE EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED PITOT TUBE, BUT NOT CERTIFIED FOR FLIGHT INTO ICING CONDITIONS.  30 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DUE TO ICE ACCUMULATIONS.  THE PILOT WAS RECEIVING RADAR VECTORS TO A NEARBY AIRPORT WHEN HE DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR FOLLOWED SHORTLY BY A LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS.  IN A POST CRASH INTERVIEW, THE PILOT SAID THE LANDING GEAR EXTENDED AUTOMATICALLY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RETRACT THEM, AND THIS CONDITION CONTRIBUTED TO HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.  THE STUDENT PILOT ON BOARD SAID THE CFI SUCCESSFULLY RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR AND THE AIRPLANE STILL COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777CL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777CL-2011-05-17), registration cancelled 2011-05-17, S/N 28R-7435242, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7435242
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gerald P. Healy
- Registered owner: Gerald P. Healy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MPV, MONTPELIER, VT
- Destination: 7MY, MOUNT HOLLY, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RUT, Rutland

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 2,631 total, 210 in this make and model, 2,531 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 40 ft overcast

## 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 19910119000859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910119000859A), Jan 19, 1991: Piper PA28R200, Rutland, VT, Destroyed. Unable hold altitude due heavy icing. Descended into trees during vectors for LOC approach.

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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