# NTSB NYC96LA034: Piper PA-28-140, N1945H, Somerset, PA, December 3, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 3, 1995, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Somerset, PA - Coordinates: 40.000373, -79.070053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0004&lon=-79.0701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39130 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39130/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA034 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision and use of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing, which resulted in a collision with an embankment and subsequent nose over of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, and approaching darkness (dusk). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor) - weather condition - rain (contributing factor) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis During a cross-country flight, the pilot encountered deteriorating weather. He reported that the airplane's VOR failed and that there was no other navigation equipment on board. Also, he said the wind must have blown the airplane off course and that he could not locate the destination airport. Due to the airplane's low fuel state and approaching darkness, he elected to make a precautionary landing in a field. The airplane touched down long and fast, became airborne, then hit a dirt embankment and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On December 3, 1995, about 1700 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N1945H, registered to We Rent Aircraft Inc., Grove City, Ohio, and operating as a 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight which originated at Patrick Henry Airport, Newport News, Virginia, about 1330. The private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The flight was destined for Lancaster, Ohio, and the pilot stated: ...before reaching [the] mountains, the only nav system (VOR) failed (only one vor in plane) no NDB or LORAN. Heading was 285, wind must have increased and pushed aircraft north in clouds in excess of 8000 feet, which was given at briefing...descended at 2G9 [Somerset County], unable to locate airport...due to rain and approaching darkness and low fuel, attempted to land in open field...rolled uphill and over and was airborne again. Speed increased and overshot field across road and flipped over when hit embankment. The pilot had elected to perform a precautionary landing to an open field, which was estimated to be 2,500 feet long, and was located about 2 miles north of the Somerset Airport. The FAA examination of the crash site and airplane revealed that the airplane touched down approximately "two-thirds" of the way down the grass field, at a "higher than normal landing speed." Approximately "four to five" gallons of fuel were drained from the fuel tanks. The 1700 observation from the Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) at Somerset Airport, recorded the following: a ceiling of 1600 feet overcast, visibility of 3.5 miles, and winds from 260 degrees, at 10 knots. According to the pilot, the reported local weather was; 4,000 overcast, visibility 5 miles, temperature 40 degrees F, winds from 180 degrees, at 10 knots, gusts to 15 knots, altimeter 29.95. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1945H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1945H-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 28-7725171, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7725171 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: We Rent Aircraft Inc. - Departed: PHF, NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Destination: I15, LANCASTER, OH - Airport: 2G9, Somerset County, runway 6, 4,697 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 20 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 260° at 10 knots - Visibility: 3.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: 2G9, 2 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 19951203039439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951203039439A), Dec 3, 1995: Piper PA28140, Somerset, PA, Substantial damage. Poor weather low on fuel unable locate destination. Near dark, elected land. Rough terrain. Nosed over. VOR quit. 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.