# NTSB NYC93LA088: Piper PA-23-150, N1494P, Nellysford, VA, April 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1993, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Nellysford, VA
- Coordinates: 37.899261, -78.899757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8993&lon=-78.8998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISION AND PLANNING, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ALTITUDE ADEQUATE FOR TERRAIN AVOIDANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE PLANNED A VFR FLIGHT AT 1000 FT AGL. HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT WAS OVER HILLY TERRAIN. HE SAID THAT 'CLIMB PERFORMANCE WAS NOTICEABLY LOW AND...SMOKE [WAS COMING] FROM THE LEFT ENGINE.'  HE ENTERED A MOUNTAIN PASS AND DISCOVERED HE COULD NOT FIND AN EXIT FROM THE HIGH TERRAIN. THE PILOT MADE A SHARP TURN TO MANEUVER AWAY FROM THE HILLS. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND THEN SAID IT 'STARTED A TURN TO THE LEFT AND THEN WENT STRAIGHT DOWN, NOSE FIRST.' THEY SAID NOTHING ABOUT SEEING 'PLUMES OF BLACK SMOKE,' OR HEARING ABNORMAL ENGINE SOUNDS. THE LEFT ENGINE WAS EXAMINED, AND EXCEPT FOR ONE MAGNETO THAT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, NOTHING WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1494P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1494P-1995-08-19), registration cancelled 1995-08-19, S/N 23564 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-150) (registry code 7102303) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-564
- Airframe hours: 4850
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Guckelberg, Frederich A.
- Registered owner: Guckelberg, Frederich A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1992, 330 hours before
- Departed: W36, CHESAPEAKE, VA
- Destination: MQJ, MT. COMFORT, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,938 total, 357 in this make and model, 1,476 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930419009709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930419009709A), Apr 19, 1993: Piper PA23150, Nellysford, VA, Substantial damage. Unable to clear rising terrain in severe gusty surface wind. Stalled into trees trying to turn around.

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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