# NTSB NYC92FA079: Piper PA-23-250, N62774, Hamburg, PA, April 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1992, 00:56 local (04:56 UTC)
- Place: Hamburg, PA
- Coordinates: 40.550853, -75.980339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5509&lon=-75.9803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37058
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37058/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA079

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISION, HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER IFR PROCEDURES, AND AN IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH RISING TERRAIN DURING THE EXECUTION OF THE MISSED APPROACH PROCEDURE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS AT A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 4000 FT., EN ROUTE TO READING.  HE WAS ISSUED A CLEARANCE TO EXECUTE THE ILS APPROACH TO RWY 36.  AT THE TIME THE PLT RECEIVED THE CLEARANCE, HE WAS AT 4000 FT. AND 3 MILES FROM THE OUTER MARKER (LOM).  THE LOM IS LOCATED 3.9 FROM THE END OF RUNWAY 36 AND THE GLIDESLOPE INTERCEPT ALTITUDE WAS 1636 FEET MSL. APPROXIMATELY 7 MINUTES AFTER ACCEPTING THE APPROACH CLEARANCE, THE PLT CONTACTED ATC AND STATED HE WAS EXECUTING THE 'MISSED APPROACH.'  THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 1,100 FT, APPROXIMATELY 13 MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT.  BASED ON THE LAST RECORDED GROUNDSPEED OF 174 KNOTS, THE AIRPLANE WOULD HAVE TRAVELLED APPROXIMATELY 20 NM FROM THE TIME THE PLT RECEIVED THE APPROACH CLEARANCE (6.9 NM FROM THE AIRPORT) TO THE TIME HE BEGAN TO EXECUTE THE MISSED APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62774](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62774-1995-03-07), registration cancelled 1995-03-07, S/N 277754013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 277754013
- Airframe hours: 6284
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Basco Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Basco Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 6, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: PHL, PHILADELPHIA, PA
- Destination: RDG, READING, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,397 total, 2,205 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDT, 44 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 19920417010309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920417010309A), Apr 17, 1992: Piper PA23250, Hamburg, PA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Missed approach. Struck trees on rising terrain. Failed to note unsafe altitude or have a viable alternate airport.

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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