# NTSB NYC92FA059: Piper PA-32-301, N4380T, Heath, OH, February 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1992, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Heath, OH
- Coordinates: 40.020881, -82.430526 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0209&lon=-82.4305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA059

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.  AN ADDITIONAL CAUSE WAS THE PILOT'S SELF INDUCED PRESSURE TO COMPLETE THE FIGHT IN KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, AND TO DEVIATE FROM THE PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LOW CLOUDS AND THE ICING CONDITIONS.

## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - open field
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A FLT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS AFTER HE RECEIVED A WX BRIEF VIA DUAT.  AREA AIRPORTS WERE REPORTING LOW CEILINGS, HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO WX REPORTING FACILITIES AT HIS DESTINATION. WITNESSES REPORTED A 200 FOOT CEILING AND 1 MILE VIS WITH FOG. HE MISSED ON HIS FLIGHT APCH AND AFTER THE SECOND APCH, HE WAS SEEN AND HEARD BY WITNESSES FLYING SOUTHEAST OF THE ARPT AT A LOW ALT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 0915 AND THE PILOT HAD A 1000 APPOINTMENT IN THE TOWN. IN ADDITION, HE HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT 1300 BACK AT HIS OFFICE, WHICH WAS 50 ROAD MILES OR 20 AIR MINUTES AWAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT CERTIFIED FOR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS. THE PILOT HAD APPROXIMATELY 340 HOURS, ALL OBTAINED IN THE PRECEDING YEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4380T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4380T-1992-09-24), registration cancelled 1992-09-24, S/N 328506001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8506001
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: James A. Mccauley, doing business as Maja Developement, Inc.
- Registered owner: Banc One Leasing Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1991, 190 hours before
- Departed: MFD, MANSFIELD, OH
- Destination: 2I8, NEWARK, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 2I8, Newark-Heath, runway 27, 4,648 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 340 total, 225 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °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 19920214003089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920214003089A), Feb 14, 1992: Piper PA32301, Newark, OH, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control on RNAV approach. Moderate clear icing in area. Aircraft not equipped for flight into icing condition

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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