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NTSB Report
August 29, 1986 · Piper PA-31-T1 · N284MC
Montgomery, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 29, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Montgomery, NY
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-T1
Tail Number
N284MC
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI86MA212
AFTER CANCELING HIS IFR FLIGHT PLAN, THE PA-31 PILOT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 26 ON A CROSSWIND LEG. HE DID NOT SEE ANY TRAFFIC ON DOWNWIND AS HE ENTERED THE PATTERN. HE VISUALLY CLEARED THE AREA BELOW AND TO HIS RIGHT WHILE ON DOWNWIND AND AS HE LOOKED UP AND FORWARD HE SAW THE CESSNA 152 IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CESSNA WAS ALSO ON THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 26. THE PA-31 PILOT, UPON SEEING THE CESSNA, PULLED UP AND TO THE RIGHT, BUT THE LEFT LANDING GEAR AND UNDERSIDE OF HIS AIRCRAFT DESTROYED THE EMPENNAGE OF THE CESSNA WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PA-31 PILOT WAS ABLE TO LAND HIS AIRCRAFT, BUT THE LEFT GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
Full Narrative
AFTER CANCELING HIS IFR FLIGHT PLAN, THE PA-31 PILOT ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RWY 26 ON A CROSSWIND LEG. HE DID NOT SEE ANY TRAFFIC ON DOWNWIND AS HE ENTERED THE PATTERN. HE VISUALLY CLEARED THE AREA BELOW AND TO HIS RIGHT WHILE ON DOWNWIND AND AS HE LOOKED UP AND FORWARD HE SAW THE CESSNA 152 IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CESSNA WAS ALSO ON THE DOWNWIND LEG FOR RWY 26. THE PA-31 PILOT, UPON SEEING THE CESSNA, PULLED UP AND TO THE RIGHT, BUT THE LEFT LANDING GEAR AND UNDERSIDE OF HIS AIRCRAFT DESTROYED THE EMPENNAGE OF THE CESSNA WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PA-31 PILOT WAS ABLE TO LAND HIS AIRCRAFT, BUT THE LEFT GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EDT
Nearest AirportOrange County (2nm SE)
Runway21
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31-T1
Tail NumberN284MC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6R-11 · Turboprop · 500 | Lycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class
Crew 2Age 23 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 6 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC