Piper PA-28-180 accident near Hudson, New York, July 19, 1990
On July 19, 1990 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N15595, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hudson, New York (Columbia CO airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A REJECTED LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT, A VARIABLE WIND, AND LACK OF EXPEREINCE IN TYPE OF AIRPLANE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 1990 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Hudson, New York · Columbia CO · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N15595 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7305094
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS LANDING AND BOUNCED TWICE. HE REJECTED THE LANDING AND AS HE APPLIED POWER, THE AIRPLANE SWERVED APPROX 40 DEGREES TO THE LEFT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND CAME TO A STOP. THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 21 AND THE WINDS WERE REPORTED AS VARIABLE BETWEEN THE SW TO THE NW AT 5 TO 10 KNOTS. THE PILOT SAID HE USED INSUFFICIENT RIGHT RUDDER WHEN HE APPLIED FULL POWER. THE FAA REPORTED THE VARIABLE WIND WOULD HAVE BEEN BETWEEN A CROSSWIND AND A TAILWIND. THE PILOT HD 213 HOURS TOTAL TIME WITH ONE HOUR IN MAKE AND MODEL.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 213 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 174 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HFD Hartford CT at 9:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 4,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.