# NTSB WPR22LA030: Piper PA-28-140, N1671J, Newdale, ID, October 28, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 27, 2021, 19:42 local (Oct 28, 2021, 01:42 UTC) - Place: Newdale, ID · mountainous terrain - Coordinates: 43.83, -111.5 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8300&lon=-111.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104226 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104226/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA030 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to monitor the flight to ensure terrain clearance during the dark night conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation ## Analysis The flight instructor and student pilot were on an instructional flight and were returning to their home airport in dark night conditions. The student pilot was utilizing a view limiting device (foggles) and was receiving altitude and heading instructions from the flight instructor. They had begun a descent about 15 miles east of the destination airport. Shortly thereafter, the student pilot reported that the airplane struck what he thought was a tall standing object. The airplane landed hard, bounced back into the air, and impacted flat open terrain. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and engine firewall. The flight instructor did not recall any additional circumstances regarding the accident sequence. Both the flight instructor and student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1671J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1671J-2023-09-16), registration cancelled 2023-09-16, S/N 28-24072, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 (28-24072) - 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: 28-24072 - Year built: 1968 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Idaho Flight Academy - Registered owner: Johnson Kurt A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 15, 2021 - Departed: DIJ, Driggs, ID - Destination: RXE, Rexburg, ID - Airport: N/A - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2021; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 587 total, 213 in this make and model - Student pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; student; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KSMP, 5 nm away - METAR: KSMP 280251Z AUTO 00000KT 3SM UP BR SCT008 OVC012 02/01 A3023 RMK AO2 UPE09B40RAB09E40 P0003 T00170006 ## 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 20211027018869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211027018869A), Oct 27, 2021: Piper PA-28-140, Rexburg, ID, Substantial damage. During a simulated instrument flight training exercise and enroute from driggs Idaho airport to Rexburg Idaho airport the certified flight instructor… ## Other investigations on N1671J (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 OAK74DVG19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DVG19), Nov 14, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N1671J), Rio Linda, CA, 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.