# NTSB NYC92LA027: Piper PA-32R, N9207K, Caldwell, NJ, November 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1991, 19:40 local (Nov 4, 1991, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Caldwell, NJ
- Location: 40.8874° N, 74.2709° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from ESSEX COUNTY (CDW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8874&lon=-74.2709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA027

## Probable cause

THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO GET TOO LOW ON FINAL APPROACH DURING A NIGHT VISUAL LANDING.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT IMPROPERLY PLANNED THE APPROACH, DARK NIGHT AND A LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN NIGHT OPERATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON SHORT FINAL DURING A NIGHT VISUAL APPROACH THE PILOT SAID, '... HE JUST FLEW TOO LOW...' AND STRUCK TREES ABOUT 1/2 MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 29 HOURS OF NIGHT FLIGHT TIME AS PILOT IN COMMAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9207K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9207K-1992-03-03), registration cancelled 1992-03-03, S/N 32R7680196 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7680196
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540KIA5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vincent A Sabio
- Registered owner: Tango Aeronautical Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1991
- Departed: PUD, PROVIDENCE, RI
- Airport: CDW, Essex County, runway 22, 4,553 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 402 total, 117 in this make and model, 198 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDW, 1 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 19911104048919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911104048919A), Nov 4, 1991: Piper PA32R300, Caldwell, NJ, Destroyed. Too low on final on night landing. Struck trees. Low night time. Failed observe should be high due unseen hazards.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.