Piper PA-28R-180 N44AE
13 August 1992 · Bradford, New York, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 13 August 1992 at about 20:57 local time, a Piper PA-28R-180 registered N44AE, operated by Automated Environments Inc., was involved in an accident near Bradford, New York, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:57
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Bradford, New York, United States
- Coordinates
- 42.3709, -77.0994
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-180
- Registration
- N44AE
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Automated Environments Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Business
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Frankfort → Elmira
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC92FA161
People
3 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON IN IMC THAT RESULTED IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT AND HIS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN AIRPLANE ORIENTATION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS WERE RETURNING TO ITHACA, NY., AFTER A BUSINESS TRIP TO INDIANA. THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED UNDER VFR CONDITIONS BUT RECEIVED AN IFR CLEARANCE EN ROUTE DUE TO DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS NEAR HIS DESTINATION. HE WAS AT 5,000 FEET AND BEING VECTORED TO THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE FOR THE VOR APPROACH TO RWY 14, WHEN HE REPORTED THAT HE 'JUST LOST THE GYROS.' RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WERE LOST SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 4 DAYS LATER IN A WOODED AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN VACUUM PUMP REVEALED IT WAS CAPABLE OF NORMAL OPERATION. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON REVEALED THAT DUE TO 'DIRT PACKED IN THE FILTER' AND EVIDENCE THAT THE GYRO WAS 'POORLY MAINTAINED,' IT WAS THE OPINION OF THE QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTOR FOR MID CONTINENT INSTRUMENT COMPANY THAT THE 'THIS UNIT WAS NOT RELIABLE ENOUGH TO FLY WITH.' THE PILOT'S PERSONAL FLIGHT TIME LOGBOOK WAS NOT RECOVERED, THUS, INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-28R accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 1992 | Piper PA-28R-201T | Ludlow, California, United States | Higgins, Melvin W & Jean | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Oct 1992 | Piper PA-28R-200 | Akron, New York, United States | Robert S. Gordy | Serious injuries | - |
| 5 Mar 1992 | Piper PA-28R-201T | Brewer, Maine, United States | James A. Chalfin | Serious injuries | - |
| 21 Mar 1992 | Piper PA-28R | Manville, New Jersey, United States | 69 Arrow Inc | No injuries | - |
| 20 Aug 1992 | Piper PA-28R-200 | Oviedo, Florida, United States | Francis Grady, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 12 Apr 1992 | Piper PA-28R-200 | Narrows, Virginia, United States | Dragon Rider Corp | Fatal | 4 |
All 1,342 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Aug 1992 | Taylorcraft BC-65 | Suffern, New York, United States | Paul K. Nozell | Serious injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1992 | MBB BO-105CBS | Brooklyn, New York, United States | New York City Police Dept | Unknown | - |
| 18 Jan 1992 | Douglas DC-9-30 | Horseheads, New York, United States | Usair | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Dec 1992 | Piper PA-22-108 | Williamson, New York, United States | Williamson Flying Club, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Dec 1992 | Boeing 737-300LR | Flushing, New York, United States | Usair | Fatal | - |
| 13 Dec 1992 | Cessna 152 | Quaker Street, New York, United States | Theodore S. la Fond | No injuries | - |