PA-28 Crashed In The Mohawk River, Killing Three
The NTSB has ruled out mechanical
failure in the New York State crash of a Piper PA-28 that killed
the airplane's owner, his 11-year-old son, and an instructor pilot
earlier this month. The preliminary report from the NTSB says, in
part:
NTSB Identification: ERA09FA345
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, June 14, 2009 in Glenville, NY
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28R-180, registration: N3226R
Injuries: 3 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may
contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
On June 14, 2009, at 1421 eastern daylight time, a Piper
PA-28R-180, N3226R, registered to and operated by Kolath Airlines
LLC, as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional
flight, was substantially damaged when it collided with the Mohawk
River after departing from runway 33 at Mohawk Valley Airport
(K13), Scotia, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed
and no flight plan was filed. The certificated flight instructor
(CFI), student pilot, and one passenger were killed.
A pilot, who was waiting for the accident airplane to depart
stated, “He started a normal takeoff and tried to get the
aircraft into the air. It appeared to me at this time he did not
have enough speed to get the aircraft flying. He got off the ground
a couple of feet and then came back down on the wheels. He
continued and tried again, but was more aggressive striking the
tail on the ground. Again the aircraft stayed in the air a little
longer but came back down again. He continued to roll further,
pulling the airplane into the air for the third time. By now he was
further down the runway, this time staying in the air, clearing the
brush at the end of the runway. He had the nose a little high this
time. The whole airplane then begins to settle down into the
river.”
File Photo
Another witness stated he was going to take up some skydivers.
They had watched the pilot make two approaches and decided to pay
attention to the takeoff. “As he did his takeoff roll he kind
of ran out of runway. He lifted off barely above the weeds at the
end of the runway and began to sink in the air towards the river.
He pulled the nose up sharply, stalled the aircraft and the tail
slid into the river.”
The CFI age 52, held a commercial pilot certificate issued on
April 12, 2005, with ratings for airplane single-engine land,
airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane. In addition,
the CFI held a flight instructor certificate issued on October 31,
2008, with a rating for airplane single-engine. The CFI held a
second-class medical certificate issued on December 2, 2008, with
the limitation, “must have available glasses for near
vision.” The CFI indicated on his application for the medical
certificate that he had 1,600 total flight hours; of which, 50
hours were flown in the last 6 months.
The student pilot, age 42, held a third-class medical
certificate issued on November 3, 2008. He indicated on his
application for the medical certificate that he had 65 total flight
hours. Review of the student pilot’s logbook revealed the he
had 134 total flight hours; of which, 85.4 hours were in the
PA-28R-180. He had 17.3 total hors as pilot-in-command; of which,
10.2 hours were in the PA-28R-180. The student pilot had flown 14.5
hours in the last 30 days; of which, 9 hours were as
pilot-in-command. He had flown 36.8 hours in the last 90 days; of
which, 15.7 hours were as pilot-in command. All dual flights in the
last 90 days were with the CFI.
The wreckage was located about 18 feet below the surface of the
Mohawk River, 625 feet off the departure end of runway 33 at
K13.
Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly,
and accessories revealed no evidence of a precrash mechanical
failure or malfunction. The flaps were found retracted, not in the
partially extended position for a short-field takeoff, and the
landing gear was extended.
Numerous engine components were removed, allowed to dry, and
were reinstalled on the engine. Four quarts of aviation engine oil
were to the engine oil sump. Both magnetos “P” leads
were removed. The engine was started, warmed up, advanced to full
power, run continuously without hesitation, and subsequently shut
down.