# NTSB NYC92FA161: Piper PA-28R-180, N44AE, Bradford, NY, August 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1992, 16:57 local (20:57 UTC)
- Place: Bradford, NY
- Coordinates: 42.370861, -77.099365 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3709&lon=-77.0994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37070/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA161

## Probable cause

A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON IN IMC THAT RESULTED IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT AND HIS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN AIRPLANE ORIENTATION.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude gyro - unreliable (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS WERE RETURNING TO ITHACA, NY., AFTER A BUSINESS TRIP TO INDIANA.  THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED UNDER VFR CONDITIONS BUT RECEIVED AN IFR CLEARANCE EN ROUTE DUE TO DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS NEAR HIS DESTINATION.  HE WAS AT 5,000 FEET AND BEING VECTORED TO THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE FOR THE VOR APPROACH TO RWY 14, WHEN HE REPORTED THAT HE 'JUST LOST THE GYROS.'  RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST SHORTLY THEREAFTER.  THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 4 DAYS LATER IN A WOODED AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN VACUUM PUMP REVEALED IT WAS CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION.  THE EXAMINATION OF THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON REVEALED THAT DUE TO 'DIRT PACKED IN THE FILTER' AND EVIDENCE THAT THE GYRO WAS 'POORLY MAINTAINED,' IT WAS THE OPINION OF THE QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTOR FOR MID CONTINENT INSTRUMENT COMPANY THAT THE 'THIS UNIT WAS NOT RELIABLE ENOUGH TO FLY WITH.'  THE PILOT'S PERSONAL FLIGHT TIME LOGBOOK WAS NOT RECOVERED, THUS, INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44AE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44AE-1994-08-03), registration cancelled 1994-08-03, S/N 28R30207 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA28R30207
- Airframe hours: 4347
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Automated Environments Inc.
- Registered owner: Automated Environments Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1992, 61 hours before
- Departed: FKR, FRANKFORT, IN
- Destination: ELM, ELMIRA, NY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELM, 15 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 19920813031479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920813031479A), Aug 13, 1992: Piper PA28R180, Bradford, NY, Destroyed, 3 fatal. On VOR approach. Reported lost gyros found days later. Gyro horizen inop due filter clogged. Unable partial panel.

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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