# NTSB NYC95LA168: Piper PA-28-235, N9390W, Poestenkill, NY, July 22, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1995, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Poestenkill, NY - Coordinates: 42.690273, -73.560951 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6903&lon=-73.5610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 8, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39009 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39009/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA168 ## Probable cause the pilot's decision to continue an approach during which the airplane was high and fast, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing. The pilot's failure to use the seat belt was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - seat belt - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE APPROACH, HE 'DID NOT LIKE THE LOOKS OF THE AIRPORT SINCE THE RUNWAY (2670 X 50 FT) WAS SHORT AND NARROW WITH TREES ON THE APPROACH (END). HOWEVER, DECIDED TO LAND SINCE I WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET NY SON THERE. I WAS HIGH AND FAST, BUT DECIDED TO MAKE A LANDING DESPITE POOR APPROACH.' WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND THEN 'PORPOISED' DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE EXAMINATION OF THE RUNWAY REVEALED THE PROPELLER AND TAIL SKID STRUCK THE SURFACE. THE PILOT, WHO WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, WAS EJECTED FROM HIS SEAT THRU THE RIGHT DOOR, AND ONTO THE RIGHT WING DURING THE IMPACT SEQUENCE. THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1995, at 1000 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA- 28-235, N9390W, was substantially damaged while landing at Rensselaer County Airport, Poestenkill, New York. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and had departed Berlin, New Hampshire, at 0830. In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated: I arrived at Rensselaer Airport at 1000 hrs after a 1 1/2 hr flight from Berlin, NH (BML). Did not like the looks of the airport since the runway was short and narrow with trees on approach to RW [runway] 36. However decided to land since I was supposed to meet my son here. I was high and fast but decided to make a landing despite poor approach. Wrong Decision...I was thrown thru right door onto wing.... The FAA reported that witnesses observed the airplane fly the traffic pattern at a lower than normal altitude, and then turn final for runway 36. The winds were reported as calm, and the airplane was described as high and fast on final approach. After touchdown, the airplane porpoised on the runway, and left marks from the tail skid and propeller on the runway center line. While in a nose high attitude, power was applied. The airplane yawed nose left, and departed the runway on the left side, about 2/3s of the way down the runway. It then struck a low embankment and trees, which separated the left wing from the fuselage. In addition, the right wing and fuselage were wrinkled. When interviewed, the pilot reported he had removed his seat belt a few minutes earlier, and believed he had not re-fastened it at the time of the accident. According to the FAA Airport Facility Directory, runway 36 was 2670 feet long, 50 feet wide, and had an asphalt surface. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9390W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9390W-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 28-11086, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-11086 - Airframe hours: 2325 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward Watson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1994, 82 hours before - Departed: BML, BERLIN, NH - Destination: 5B7 - Airport: 5B7, Rensselaer County, runway 36, 2,670 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 634 total, 171 in this make and model, 48 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ALB, 11 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 19950722019469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950722019469A), Jul 22, 1995: Piper PA28235, Troy, NY, Substantial damage. High, fast for short narrow runway. Porpoised. Pilot ejected thru right door on wing. Exited runway into embankment ## Other investigations on N9390W (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 LAX81FVA16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVA16), Dec 15, 1980: Piper PA-28 (N9390W), Fresno, CA, 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.