# NTSB NYC96LA013: Piper PA-32, N39964, Honsdale, PA, October 16, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 16, 1995, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Honsdale, PA - Coordinates: 41.570175, -75.250854 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5702&lon=-75.2509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39114 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39114/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA013 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper evaluation of the weather briefing, and his decision to fly into known forecasted moderate to severe icing conditions. Factors in the accident were the adverse weather conditions encountered during the flight and landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - object - runway light ## Analysis The pilot obtained a weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan with an Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS). After takeoff, he climbed to his cruising altitude of 8,000 feet, which was above the clouds. En route he encountered strong headwinds, and requested a descent to 6,000 feet. ATC issued the pilot an initial descent to 7,000 feet. During the descent, he encountered severe turbulence and icing. After descending below the clouds, the pilot could not maintain altitude and made a forced landing downwind to a nearby airport. During landing, the airplane was blown off of the runway into the runway lights. The reported winds were 250 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 24 knots. During the weather briefing with the AFSS, the pilot was issued an AIRMET for light to moderate mixed/rime icing, in the clouds and precipitation, from the freezing level to 10,000 feet, and isolated severe icing in the clouds. He was given the freezing level along his route to be between 2,000 and 4,000 feet. The briefer also gave the pilot the forecast for 'strong westerly winds,' which included winds at 9,000 feet, from 280 degrees at 38 knots. The airplane was not equipped with anti-icing, or deicing equipment, except for a heated pitot tube. ## Factual narrative On October 16, 1995, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N39964, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to the Cherry Ridge Airport, Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, for the personal flight that originated at Windsor Locks, Connecticut, at 1030. An IFR flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot obtained a weather briefing, and filed an IFR flight plan to Columbus, Ohio, with the Burlington Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS). After takeoff from Windsor Locks, he climbed to his cruising altitude of 8,000 feet, which was above the clouds. Near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, he encountered 30 to 40 knot head winds, and requested a descent to 6,000 feet. The Air Traffic Control facility advised the pilot of turbulence at 6,000 feet, and issued the pilot an initial descent to 7,000 feet. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated: In the descent I encountered severe turbulence with severe icing...I had previously put on the pitot heat, but in spite of it...the main gear dropped because of icing...below the clouds at 5,500, I was unable to maintain altitude, problem of trim control, I was able to retract [the landing] gear. ATC gave me the direction to nearest airport...and I made a forced landing downwind and crosswind on [runway] 17. I was blown off to the left of the runway onto the grass where I made contact with runway lights. A review of the audio tape of the pilot's AFSS weather briefing, revealed that the AFSS briefer issued the pilot AIRMET Zulu. The AIRMET was for light to moderate mixed/rime icing, in the clouds and precipitation, from the freezing level to 10,000 feet, and isolated severe icing in the clouds. The briefer stated that the area covered the pilot's route of flight from western Pennsylvania, to Columbus, Ohio. The briefer stated that the freezing level near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was between 2,000 and 4,000 feet. The briefer also gave the pilot the forecast for "strong westerly winds," which included specific winds at 9,000 feet, from 280 degrees at 38 knots, near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The airplane, N39964, was not equipped with anti-icing, or deicing equipment, except for a heated pitot tube. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39964](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39964), registered now, S/N 32R-7885245, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R-7885245 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Century Flyers Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1995 - Departed: BDL, WINDSOR LOCKS, CT - Destination: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: N30, Cherry Ridge, runway 17, 2,420 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,271 total, 785 in this make and model, 1,129 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 14 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AVP, 22 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 19951016046379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951016046379A), Oct 16, 1995: Piper PA32RT300, Honesdale, PA, Substantial damage. Descending into clouds encountered severe turbulence and icing. Blown off runway landing. Icing wind airmets out. 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.