History of Flight
On May 9, 2011, at approximately 1448 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 (N5275L) and a Piper PA-24-250 (N7757P) collided in midair and subsequently impacted terrain near New Hampton, New York. Both aircraft were substantially damaged. The private pilot of the PA28 and the private pilot/owner of the PA24 sustained fatal injuries. Both flights were operated by private individuals under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed.
The PA28 was operating under a ferry permit issued on May 6, 2011, for a flight from Orange County Airport (MGJ), Montgomery, New York, to Sussex Airport (FWN), Sussex, New Jersey, for maintenance purposes. The PA24 was on a personal flight to the same destination. Both aircraft departed runway 3 at MGJ around 1440, with the PA28 departing first, followed by the PA24 about one minute later.
Witnesses near the accident site observed the aircraft flying in the same southwest direction when they clipped each other. The PA28 entered an immediate right spiraling dive, while the PA24 entered an angled nose dive. One witness heard normal engine sounds from both aircraft but noted an engine rev-up just prior to the collision. Another witness saw and heard debris falling.
Personnel Information
The pilot of the PA28, aged 53, held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land rating issued in December 1979. He also held a mechanic certificate with Inspection Authorization. His logbook was not recovered; he reported 5,840 total flight hours on his most recent FAA medical application (May 4, 2011), including 30 hours in the previous 6 months.
The pilot of the PA24, aged 61, held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land rating issued in January 1990. His logbook was also not recovered; he reported 1,450 total flight hours on his most recent FAA medical application (July 1, 2009), including 25 hours in the previous 6 months.
Aircraft Information
The PA-28-180 (serial number 28-4574) was a four-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear aircraft manufactured in 1968, powered by a Lycoming O-360 180-horsepower engine with a Sensenich propeller. Its most recent annual inspection expired in January 2011. The aircraft had a total airframe time of 6,238 hours at the time of a previous propeller strike incident on October 28, 2010.
The PA-24-250 (serial number 24-2973) was a four-seat, low-wing, retractable-gear aircraft manufactured in 1961, powered by a Lycoming O-540 250-horsepower engine with a McCauley propeller. No maintenance records were located.
Meteorological Information
The reported weather at MGJ at 1454 was: wind 050° at 13 knots gusting to 20 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; clear skies; temperature 20°C; dew point 4°C; altimeter 29.92 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident sites were located about 11 miles southwest of MGJ in wooded, uneven terrain. The PA24 was about 600 feet southwest of the PA28. Debris was scattered over approximately 1,000 feet in a south to southwest direction. The PA28 was found inverted with the fuselage crushed; its outboard right wing and parts of the empennage were separated. The right wing inboard section displayed damage consistent with propeller strikes. The PA24 was largely consumed by post-impact fire; all components except the outboard right stabilator were located. Flight control continuity was verified for both aircraft. Examination of both engines and propellers revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.
Additional Information
An NTSB performance study using radar data showed that the PA24, faster by over 20 knots, caught up to the PA28 within five minutes. The aircraft converged at about 1,850 feet msl, with the PA24 approaching from below and behind. Pitch, bank, and heading were normal until the collision, when both aircraft pitched down abruptly.
At the time of the accident, the sun was positioned about 55° above the horizon and 235° east of north, based on U.S. Naval Observatory data for Montgomery, New York.