Piper PA-28-181 accident near Gardiner, NY
On April 12, 2002, a Piper PA-28-181 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Gardiner, NY. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 12, 2002
- Place
- Gardiner, NY
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 41.749°N, 74.177°W
- NTSB ID
- 20020422X00565
Official records · NYC02FA082
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 12, 2002, about 1750 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N288CA, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Gardiner, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight that originated from the Joseph Y. Resnik Airport (N89), Ellenville, New York, about 1730, destined for the Northampton Airport (7B2), Northampton, Massachusetts. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to several witnesses, earlier in the day, the pilot and passenger flew to the Wilkes Barre Scranton International Airport (AVP), Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, from Northampton, which was the airplane's home airport. After departing Wilkes Barre for the flight home, the pilot made an unscheduled stop at Ellenville. According to a witness who talked with the pilot at Ellenville, the pilot had encountered some turbulence on the flight from Wilkes Barre, which was strong enough to cause the airplane to partially stall. The passenger reported to the witness that it felt like being hit from behind. After being on the ground for approximately 15 minutes, the witness saw the pilot and passenger reboard the airplane. The airplane taxied to runway 22, and departed. Once airborne, the airplane made a 180-degree right turn, and followed the valley to the north, maintaining an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet agl. The witness then boarded an ultra light airplane, along with a student, to do some training 6 to 8 miles to
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while maneuvering in a mountainous area, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were, mountainous terrain, clouds, and the pilot's decision to continue the flight in deteriorating weather.
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Browse: New York · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
