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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 16, 1990 · Piper PA-32-301R · N8473H

Alton, NH

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 16, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 1 uninjured
Location
Alton, NH
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-301R
Tail Number
N8473H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC91LA029

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, TO LACONIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE THE AIRPLANE EXPEREINCED TOTAL POWER FAILURE. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT AS SOON AS THE PILOT DISCONNECTED THE AUTOPILOT, THE ENGINE FAILED. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE MADE BUT WERE FUTILE. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, ALTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT SHE AND THE PILOT CLIMBED OUT ON THE WING OF THE AIRPLANE AND MOMENTS LATER ATTEMPTED TO SWIM ASHORE. THE PASSENGER SAID WHEN SHE GOT TO THE SHORE SHE COULD NOT LOCATE THE PILOT. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND AND RECOVERED ONE WEEK LATER AND BROUGHT TO A HANGAR IN ALTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE, FOR EXAMINATION. THE PILOT WAS NOT FOUND. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THERE WAS APPROPRIATE FUEL ON BOARD AND THE FUEL WAS NOT CONTAMINATED. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY. NO ENGINE OR AIRFRAME ANOMALIES WERE NOTED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.

Full Narrative

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, TO LACONIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE THE AIRPLANE EXPEREINCED TOTAL POWER FAILURE. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT AS SOON AS THE PILOT DISCONNECTED THE AUTOPILOT, THE ENGINE FAILED. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE MADE BUT WERE FUTILE. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, ALTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT SHE AND THE PILOT CLIMBED OUT ON THE WING OF THE AIRPLANE AND MOMENTS LATER ATTEMPTED TO SWIM ASHORE. THE PASSENGER SAID WHEN SHE GOT TO THE SHORE SHE COULD NOT LOCATE THE PILOT. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND AND RECOVERED ONE WEEK LATER AND BROUGHT TO A HANGAR IN ALTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE, FOR EXAMINATION. THE PILOT WAS NOT FOUND. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THERE WAS APPROPRIATE FUEL ON BOARD AND THE FUEL WAS NOT CONTAMINATED. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY. NO ENGINE OR AIRFRAME ANOMALIES WERE NOTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-301R
Tail NumberN8473H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 1 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data