# NTSB NYC98LA102: Piper PA-32-300, N15326, New Bedford, MA, April 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 1998, 22:30 local (Apr 26, 1998, 02:30 UTC) - Place: New Bedford, MA - Location: 41.6766° N, 70.9578° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NEW BEDFORD RGNL (EWB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6766&lon=-70.9578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39558 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39558/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA102 ## Probable cause The pilot's impairment due to alcohol, which resulted in an inadequate preflight examination and subsequent takeoff with a control lock installed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - locked (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis A witness observed the airplane depart Runway 5 and climb at a steep angle. The aircraft then turned to the northwest, then to the northeast, and descended steeply to the ground. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed a control lock device, with a locked pad lock, installed on the right hand flight control column. Toxicological testing revealed 155 mg/dL (0.155%) ethanol detected in the pilot's blood, 187 mg/dL ethanol detected in the vitreous, and 205 mg/dL ethanol detected in the urine. A review of 14 CFR Part 91.17, stated, '(a) No Person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft...(4) While having a .04 percent by weight or more alcohol in the blood.' ## Factual narrative On April 25, 1998, about 2230 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-32-300, N15326, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain after takeoff from the New Bedford Airport, New Bedford, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a witness at the airport, the pilot landed at the New Bedford Airport (EWB) the morning of the accident. Another witness observed the airplane that evening after it took off. The witness stated that the airplane departed Runway 5, and after liftoff, it "...went straight up in the air like a acrobat..." The airplane then appeared to level off, turn northwest, then northeast, followed by "a nose dive," and descent to the ground. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that a control locking device, with a locked pad lock, was installed on the right hand flight control column. The pad lock key was found on the key ring with the airplane's ignition key. The airplane's ignition was off, and the ignition key had been removed. Additionally, the pilot's shoulder harness was not locked in position. Toxicological testing was conducted at the FAA Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The testing revealed: 155 mg/dL ETHANOL detected in Blood 187 mg/dL ETHANOL detected in Vitreous 205 mg/dL ETHANOL detected in Urine A review of 14 CFR Part 91.17, stated, "(a) No Person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft...(4) While having a .04 percent by weight or more alcohol in the blood." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15326](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15326-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 32-7340038, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7340038 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael J. Lafrance - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1997 - Departed: EWB - Airport: EWB, New Bedford Regional Apt., runway 5, 4,997 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 958 total, 850 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 280° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EWB ## 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 19980426007599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980426007599A), Apr 26, 1998: Piper PA32300, New Bedford, MA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Departed with control locks engaged. Lost control. (.4)a witness observed the airplane depart runway 5 and climb at a steep angle. The aircraft then turned to… ## Other investigations on N15326 (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 SEA76DYI18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYI18), Jun 3, 1976: Piper PA-32 (N15326), Bend, OR, 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.