# NTSB NYC91LA116: Piper 180, N9006J, Andes, NY, April 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1991, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Andes, NY
- Coordinates: 42.179344, -74.780654 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1793&lon=-74.7807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36912/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA116

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A LANDING WITH UNFAVORABLE WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - refueling - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - discontinued, pilot in command
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDING AT A PRIVATE AIRPORT, WHEN JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED AN UPDRAFT.  THE PILOT INITIATED A GO AROUND AND RAISED THE FLAPS TO 25 DEGREES.  THE PILOT SAID, 'FULL POWER WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO INITIATE A GO AROUND...THE PLANE MOVED OUT OF THE SHELTER OF TREES...EXPOSING THE AIRCRAFT TO A CROSSWIND.  I DECIDED AT THAT POINT THAT I HAD LITTLE CHANCE OF CLIMBING OUT.  I DROPPED A NOTCH OF FLAPS AND THE PLANE SET DOWN ON THE STRIP, BUT IN A LEFTWARD DRIFT, WHERE IT CLIPPED A SMALL TREE ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, SPUN AROUND AND CAME TO A HALT AFTER A 180 DEGREE SPIN.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9006J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9006J-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 28-3031, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER 180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28 3031
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dr. Anthony Coscia
- Registered owner: Dr. Anthony Coscia
- Departed: DXR, DANBURY, CT
- Airport: NONE, None, runway 36, 3,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 420 total, 170 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910406042989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910406042989A), Apr 6, 1991: Piper PA28180, Lews Beach, NY, Substantial damage. Ballooned on crosswind landing. Drifted off side of runway. Wing clipped a tree spinning aircraft into a 180 turn.

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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