# NTSB NYC96LA062: Piper PA-46-350P, N89HS, Butler, PA, February 12, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 12, 1996, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Butler, PA - Coordinates: 40.859851, -79.890533 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8599&lon=-79.8905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report July 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39149/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA062 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the final approach, which resulted in the uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with the ground. A contributing factor is windshear conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was conducting an approach to runway 8, during which the left wing contacted the ground approximately 75 feet from the approach end of the runway. The airplane came to rest about 160 feet down the runway, and off the right side. A pilot who landed on runway 26, about 30 minutes prior to the accident flight, stated that the winds were out of the northwest at 15 knots with gusts, and he experienced plus and minus 10 knots on the airspeed while on final approach. The winds 19 miles to the east, at 1045 eastern standard time, were reported from 310 degrees at 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. An AIRMET was issued at 0345, with an advisory for occasional moderate turbulence below 8,000 feet. The AIRMET was reissued at 0945, with the added advisory of, 'Low level wind shear potential over the Boston Area Forecast area east of an Erie-Bristol line due to gusty northwesterly surface winds. Conditions ending by 1600.' An FAA Inspector examined the wreckage and found no preimpact anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On February 12, 1996 about 1010 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N89HS, was destroyed when it collided with the ground while on final approach to the Butler County K W Scholter Field, Butler, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot and passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Erie, Pennsylvania. There was no flight plan for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot was conducting a visual approach to runway 8 when the left wing collided with the ground approximately 75 feet from the approach end of the runway. The airplane came to rest about 160 feet down the runway, and off the right side. Postaccident examination of the wreckage by the FAA Inspector revealed no preimpact anomalies with the airframe or engine. A pilot, who landed approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident flight, stated that on his approach and landing to runway 26, there were intermittent snow showers, and the visibility was less than 2 miles. He observed the wind sock and estimated the winds were from the northwest at 10 to 15 knots with gusts, and he experienced turbulence with the airspeed varying plus or minus 10 knots. At the time of the accident, the pilot observed a snow squall over the airport and stated that the visibility was considerably less A National Transportation Safety Board meteorology report stated that an airman's meteorological information (AIRMET) inflight weather advisory was issued for occasional moderate turbulence below 8,000 feet, at 0345, and valid for the Butler area. The AIRMET was reissued, at 0945, and continued to advise of similar conditions. In addition, the 0945 AIRMET added the following, "Low level wind shear potential over the Boston Area Forecast area east of an Erie-Bristol line due to gusty northwesterly surface winds. Conditions ending by 1600." At Beaver County Airport, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, 19 miles to the east of Butler, the weather was reported at 0945 as, estimated ceiling 3000 broken, visibility 20 miles, winds from 310 degrees at 15 knots; and at 1045 as, estimated ceiling 3000 broken, visibility 20 miles, winds from 310 degrees at 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. On March 17, the pilot succumbed from the injuries received during the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N89HS (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-46-350P - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4622033 - Airframe hours: 1550 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harrington, George R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1995, 123 hours before - Departed: ERI, ERIE, PA - Destination: BTP - Airport: BTP, Butler County, runway 8, 4,005 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BVI, 19 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 19960212001639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960212001639A), Feb 12, 1996: Piper PA46350P, Butler, PA, Substantial damage. Landed short in sod area, bounced through runway lights, spun around and came to rest. 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.