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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

September 11, 1993 · Piper PA-28-180 · N4898T

Byfield, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 1993
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Byfield, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N4898T
Operator
Arthur G Allen
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO93LA171

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED HIS PRE-TAKEOFF AND RUN-UP CHECKS SUCCESSFULLY. HE WAS TAKING OFF FROM A PRIVATE FIELD, AND AS THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 250 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND THE RPM DROPPED FROM FULL RPM TO IDLE RPM. HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE STATED THAT HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE TO CUSHION THE IMPACT AS THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SOME PINE TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THERE WERE SEVERAL WITNESSES WHO HEARD THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE SOUND INTERMITTENTLY DURING TAKEOFF BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE TREES. THE FAA EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AND REPORTED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL TANKS CONTAINED 25 GALLONS AND 5 GALLONS RESPECTIVELY. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE LEFT TANK.

NTSB Probable Cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CLIMB FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Full Narrative

On Saturday, September 11, 1993, at 1310 eastern daylight time, N4898T, a Piper PA-28-180, owned and operated by Arthur Allen of Byfield, Massachusetts, collided with trees during a power-off forced landing at a private airstrip in Byfield, Massachusetts. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 and the intended destination was Lawrence, Massachusetts. According to the pilot, he was taking off from a private airstrip when the engine lost power. He reported that the pretakeoff checks and run-up were completed successfully. He stated that he used 2 notches of flaps and the airplane was accelerated to climb speed of 80 knots. He reported that about 250 feet above the ground, the rpm dropped from full rpm to idle power. He tried to restart the engine, but he was unsuccessful. The right wing struck the chimney of a house and came to rest in the trees. There were several witnesses who reported hearing the airplane's engine sound intermittently during the initial climb. The airplane was examined by the FAA and the investigation revealed that the left and right fuel tanks contained 25 gallons and 5 gallons respectively. The fuel selector was found selected to the left tank.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:10 EDT
Nearest AirportManter Field (0nm)
Runway5
Runway Length1700 ft
Runway Width25 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN4898T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorArthur G Allen
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 10 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data