Accident Piper PA-30-160 Twin Comanche B N7345Y,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 130676
 
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Date:Wednesday 16 January 1974
Time:10:00 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic PA30 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Piper PA-30-160 Twin Comanche B
Owner/operator:Private
Registration: N7345Y
MSN: 30-396
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Category:Accident
Location:Tompkins County Airport, Ithaca, New York -   United States of America
Phase: Approach
Nature:Private
Departure airport:Greater Rochester International Airport, Rochester, New York (ROC/KROC
Destination airport:Tompkins County Airport, Ithaca, New York (ITH/KITH)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
Narrative:
Written off (destroyed) January 16, 1974 when undershot and crashed on approach to Tompkins County Airport, Ithaca, New York (at approximate Coordinates 42°29′29″N 076°27′31″W); cause of accident attributed to a CFIT (Controlled Flight Into Terrain). The altimeter was wrongly calibrated, giving the pilot a false report as to the aircraft;s altitude. According to the official NTSB report into the accident: "ALST G 29.75 IN, 30.06 IN SET IN AIRCRAFT. CALIBRATION TEST INDICATED ALTITUDE SHOWING AT 130 FEET HIGH AT 1000 FEET AMSL". In addition, the NTSB report goes on to note:

"PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES, ETC - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION - FAILED TO INITIATE GO-AROUND
MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALTIMETER SETTING-INCORRECT - IMPROPER ALIGNMENT/ADJUSTMENT
INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES - FLIGHT AND NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS: ALTIMETERS
WEATHER - LOW CEILING - FOG"

Both of the two persons on board - pilot and one passenger - survived, but were seriously injured. Registration N7345Y cancelled by the FAA on February 19, 1974

Accident investigation:
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: NYC74FFJ20
Status: Investigation completed
Duration:
Download report: Final report

Sources:

1. NTSB Identification: NYC74FFJ20 at https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=83762&key=0
2. FAA: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=7345Y

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
04-Feb-2017 21:02 Dr.John Smith Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Cn, Operator, Location, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]
04-Feb-2017 21:04 Dr.John Smith Updated [Narrative]

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