Blairstown – Somerset – Jaars-Townsend

On December 31, 1988 at 12:00 PM, Blairstown – Somerset – Jaars-Townsend experienced a crash involving Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600), operated by Albert T. Gianchiglia, with the event recorded near Somerset New Jersey.

The flight was categorized as private and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

4 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 4 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft was on final approach to runway 30 at Somerset airport, Somerville, New Jersey when there was a loss of power of the right engine. The pilot raised the landing gear and flaps, and the aircraft rolled to the right, descended toward the ground and crashed. The fuel selector valve to the right wing tank was in the closed position. The right engine magnetos were defective. All four occupants were injured, two seriously.

Aircraft reference details include registration N90393, MSN 60-0224-095, year of manufacture 1975.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 40.5675°, -74.6190°.