1989-09-20: Piper PA-22 — Montague, NJ

Casualties unknown • Montague, NJ, US

Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT DEPARTED GEORGETOWN, DELAWARE FOR MT POCONO, PENNSYLVANIA. HE LANDED AT CHESWOLD, DELAWARE, WHERE HE RECEIVED UPDATED WEATHER FROM MILLVILLE AUTOMATED FSS. THE PILOT DEPARTED AGAIN, BUT DIVERTED TO KUTZTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, LANDED AND REFUELED. HE ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT TO MT POCONO; HOWEVER, ADVERSE WEATHER PRECLUDED A LANDING AND HE CONTINUED EAST NORTHEAST. THE WEATHER CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR SETTLED INTO SOFT MUD AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-09-20 Piper PA-22 accident near Montague, NJ?

THE PILOT DEPARTED GEORGETOWN, DELAWARE FOR MT POCONO, PENNSYLVANIA. HE LANDED AT CHESWOLD, DELAWARE, WHERE HE RECEIVED UPDATED WEATHER FROM MILLVILLE AUTOMATED FSS. THE PILOT DEPARTED AGAIN, BUT DIVERTED TO KUTZTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, LANDED AND REFUELED. HE ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT TO MT POCONO; HOWEVER,…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-09-20 involved a Piper PA-22, registration N2467A, at Montague, NJ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29484. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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