# NTSB NYC93LA037: Piper PA-22-108, N4946Z, Williamson, NY, December 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1992, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Williamson, NY
- Coordinates: 43.240764, -77.150268 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2408&lon=-77.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA037

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH GUSTING WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 28, WITH WINDS FROM 230 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 28, THE AIRPLANE LOST ALTITUDE AND STRUCK A SNOW BANK 6 TO 10 FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.  AS THE AIRPLANE PITCHED OVER, THE NOSE STRUT COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE SLID TO A STOP 50 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY WHERE A POST IMPACT FIRE CONSUMED THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4946Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4946Z-1993-05-20), registration cancelled 1993-05-20, S/N 228542 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-8542
- Airframe hours: 5780
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Williamson Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Williamson Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1992, 75 hours before
- Airport: 3G7, William Sodus, runway 28, 3,370 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 498 total, 300 in this make and model, 498 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 20 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ROC, 26 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 19921206049309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921206049309A), Dec 6, 1992: Piper PA22108, Williamson, NY, Destroyed. Downdraft on short final caused aircraft to strike snowbank near runway threshold.

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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