# NTSB NYC94LA055: Piper PA-24-250, N7139P, South Bethlehem, NY, March 5, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 1994, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: South Bethlehem, NY - Coordinates: 42.529243, -73.849449 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5292&lon=-73.8494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38734 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38734/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA055 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY AND THE INADEQUATE SNOW REMOVAL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - airport snow removal - inadequate, airport personnel (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing the left wingtip struck a snowbank next to the left side of the runway. The aircraft swerved to the left and the right wing also struck the snow bank. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 1994, at 1000 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24, N7139P, was substantially damaged when the aircraft collided with a snow bank while landing at South Albany Airport, South Bethlehem, New York. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight by P.T. Air Inc., Albany, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91. According to NTSB form 6120.1/2 the pilot stated: ...After touchdown on [runway 01]...left wing tip caught snow bank along left side of runway. This caused right wing to come around and hit snow bank on left side. Left snow bank was very close to edge of left side of runway and right snow bank was pushed 10'-15' back from the right side of the runway. In a telephone interview, the FAA inspector stated the aircraft landed right of centerline and corrected left. It was also revealed that the runway was immediately plowed after the occurrence. Consequently, no verification could be made as to the condition of the runway. There were no NOTAMS issued for the runway conditions or height of the snow banks. The passenger was a certified private pilot but the aircraft did not require a second pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7139P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7139P), registered now, S/N 24-2304 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-2304 - Airframe hours: 5200 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: P T Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1993, 25 hours before - Departed: ALB, ALBANY, NY - Airport: 4BO, South Albany, runway 1, 2,860 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 410 total, 50 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 18 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ALB ## 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 19940305003919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940305003919A), Mar 5, 1994: Piper PA24250, South Bethlehem, NJ, Substantial damage. Landed right of centerline. Overcorrect veered left. Wing hit snow bank on edge runway. Rotated into snowbank. ## Other investigations on N7139P (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC67D0019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0019), Jun 13, 1966: Piper PA24 (N7139P), Spring Valley, NY, substantial damage 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.