Piper PA-32-260 accident near Naples, New York, April 2, 1991
On April 2, 1991 at about 10:19 pm local time, a Piper PA-32-260, registered N3667W, was destroyed in an accident near Naples, New York. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN STRUCTURAL (WING) ICE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 1991 · about 10:19 pm local time
- Place
- Naples, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-260 · all PA-32-260s on the register
- Registration
- N3667W · no longer on the register · serial 32-575
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT MADE A DEPARTURE AND WAS CLEARED TO CLIMB TO 9000 FT. DURING THE LAST PORTION OF THE CLIMB, THE RATE OF CLIMB DECREASED. AFTER REACHING 8000 FT, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A DESCENT TO 4100 FT, THEN IT CLIMBED TO 5100 FT. THE AIRPLANE THEN ENTERED ANOTHER DESCENT, LEVELED OFF AT 3800 FT AND DISPPEARED FROM RADAR. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AND CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING AT A HIGH POWER SETTING BEFORE IMPACT. NO PREIMPCT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. ICING CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT AND THE PILOT HAD COMMENTED ABOUT ENCOUNTERING ICE ON HIS PREVIOUS FLIGHT (TO ROCHESTER). THERE WERE REPORTS OF MODERATE RIME ICING FROM AN MD-80 AND A BEECH 99.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 770 hours in all; 538 in this make and model; 39 in the last 90 days; 639 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ROC Rochester NY at 10:00 pm
- Destination: N12 Lakewood NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds; not recorded
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from ROC, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.