# NTSB NYC97LA051: Piper PA-44-180T, N8457H, Caldwell, NJ, February 9, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1997, 16:43 local (21:43 UTC)
- Place: Caldwell, NJ
- Location: 40.8752° N, 74.2814° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ESSEX COUNTY (CDW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8752&lon=-74.2814&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA051

## Probable cause

The pilot's incapacitation due to a heart attack.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - relinquishing of control - performed, pilot in command
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane was level at approximately 2,500 feet when the pilot became unconscious.  The pilot-rated passenger advised the control tower of the medical emergency and landed.  Attempts to revive the pilot were unsuccessful.  The pilot-rated passenger stated that he was later informed the pilot suffered a heart attack as a result of severe heart disease.

## Factual narrative

On February 9, 1997 at 1643 Eastern Standard Time, N8457H, a Piper PA-44-180T, was on a personal flight when the pilot became incapacitated and died during a flight to Lincoln Park Airport (N07), Lincoln Park, New Jersey.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The pilot-rated passenger was not injured. The airplane was not damaged.  The departure point was Greenwood Lake Airport, West Milford, New Jersey.

According to the pilot-rated passenger, the airplane was level at 2,500 feet, approaching the Lincoln Park Airport.  The pilot "...slumped over onto the controls."  The pilot-rated passenger restrained the pilot and took control of the airplane.  He chose to land at  Essex County Airport (CDW), Caldwell, New Jersey, because the airplane was oriented on a straight-in approach to Runway 22.  He advised the control tower of the medical emergency and proceeded to the airport.  After landing, attempts to revive the pilot were unsuccessful.  The pilot-rated passenger stated that he was later informed the pilot suffered a heart attack as a result of severe heart disease.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8457H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-44-180T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 44-8207001
- Engines: Lycoming TO-360 SER 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wagner Airways
- Registered owner: Forrest Aviation Corportation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 4N1, WEST MILFORD, NJ
- Destination: N07, LINCOLN PARK, NJ
- Airport: CDW, Essex County Airport, runway 22, 4,553 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TEB, 10 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).

- [Incident 19970209005619I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970209005619I), Feb 9, 1997: Piper PA44180T, Caldwell, NJ, 1 fatal. Narrative: pilot flying from west milford, NJ to lincoln park, NJ became incapacitated and expired in the aircraft. Passenger, also a pilot, landed at cdw.

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.

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