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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 4, 1994 · Piper PA-28-140 · N404FL

Fajardo, PR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 4, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fajardo, PR
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N404FL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA95LA034

AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT NOTED THE ENGINE RUNNING 'ROUGH. HE FLEW THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. ON FINAL APPROACH HE STATED THE ENGINE WOULD NOT DEVELOP ENOUGH POWER TO MAKE THE RUNWAY AND HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO A MARSH SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AFTER RECOVERY REVEALED THE RIGHT MAGNETO WAS WORN AND WOULD ONLY PRODUCE PARTIAL POWER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE MALFUNCTION OF A MAGNETO RESULTING IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

Full Narrative

On December 4, 1994, about 0605 Atlantic standard time, N404FL, a Piper PA-28-140 crashed near Fajardo Airport, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. N404FL was registered to the pilot Mr. Jesus M.A. Molina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the proposed flight to Vieques, Puerto Rico. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercially-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had just originated at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he took off on runway 07 and noted a rough running engine. He then flew a traffic pattern to return to the airport. On final approach the engine lost power and he executed a forced landing to a marsh short of the runway. The engine was removed from the airplane for teardown and examination by FAA personnel. The examination was conducted on February 2, 1995. No discrepancies were noted. The carburetor and magnetos were removed and sent to a repair station for further examination. The carburetor was bench checked and flowed normally. The magnetos were bench examined and the left magneto checked to be operable with normal wear noted. The right magneto produced minimal spark, and would not fire normally in the test stand.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:05 AST
Nearest AirportFAJARDO (1nm WSW)
Runway7
Runway Length3600 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN404FL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind80° @ 6 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time10:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data