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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 6, 1995 · Piper PA-28-180D · N6539J

Jeannette, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 6, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Jeannette, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180D
Tail Number
N6539J
Operator
Pittsburgh Boquet Airpark
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO95LA043

THE CFI REPORTED THAT DURING TAKE OFF CLIMB, AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED ITS RIGHT MAGNETO'S PINION GEAR HAD FAILED RESULTING IN A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE MAGNETO.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the magneto pinion gear failure, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climbout over usuitable terrain.

Full Narrative

On April 6, 1995, about 1716 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA- 28-180, N6539J, lost total engine power during initial climb out from runway 20 at the Pittsburgh-Boquet Airpark in Jeanette, Pennsylvania. The airplane was destroyed when it collided with trees during the emergency descent. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) received minor injuries and the one passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The CFI reported that he was practicing takeoffs and landings at the Pittsburgh-Boquet Airpark. He stated that during initial climb after the second takeoff, at 150 feet above the ground, the airplane's engine lost total power. The pilot stated that he made a forced landing into trees with "...A Nose High Attitude Above Treetops To Cushion The Impact." The airplane collided with trees and came to rest upside down. Postaccident examination of the airplane's engine revealed its right magneto did not function. The magneto was dismantled and its internal components examined. Examination of the components revealed teeth on the nylon pinion gear had failed. The failure modes of the teeth were not determined.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:16 EDT
Nearest AirportPittsburgh-Boquet Airpark (0nm)
Runway20
Runway Length2605 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180D
Tail NumberN6539J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPittsburgh Boquet Airpark
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 18 kt, gusting 27 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data