Piper PA-28-235 accident near Poestenkill, New York, July 22, 1995
On July 22, 1995 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-235, registered N9390W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Poestenkill, New York (Rensselaer County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's decision to continue an approach during which the airplane was high and fast, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing. The pilot's failure to use the seat belt was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 1995 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Poestenkill, New York · Rensselaer County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-235 · all PA-28-235s on the register
- Registration
- N9390W · no longer on the register · serial 28-11086
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE APPROACH, HE 'DID NOT LIKE THE LOOKS OF THE AIRPORT SINCE THE RUNWAY (2670 X 50 FT) WAS SHORT AND NARROW WITH TREES ON THE APPROACH (END). HOWEVER, DECIDED TO LAND SINCE I WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET NY SON THERE. I WAS HIGH AND FAST, BUT DECIDED TO MAKE A LANDING DESPITE POOR APPROACH.' WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND THEN 'PORPOISED' DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE EXAMINATION OF THE RUNWAY REVEALED THE PROPELLER AND TAIL SKID STRUCK THE SURFACE. THE PILOT, WHO WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT, WAS EJECTED FROM HIS SEAT THRU THE RIGHT DOOR, AND ONTO THE RIGHT WING DURING THE IMPACT SEQUENCE. THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT.
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
- Flight time: 634 hours in all; 171 in this make and model; 48 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,325 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 25, 1994; 82 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BML Berlin NH at 12:30 pm
- Destination: 5B7
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,670 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:50 pm from ALB, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.