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NTSB Report
December 31, 1988 · Piper PA-60 · N90393
Somerville, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 1988
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Somerville, NJ
Aircraft
Piper PA-60
Tail Number
N90393
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC89LA058
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.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISIONS WHILE APPROACHING THE AIRPORT ON FINAL APPROACH WITH DEFECTIVE MAGNETOS. THE RIGHT FUEL SELECTOR WAS PLACED IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND, RAISED THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS, FAILED TO MAINTAIN VMC, AND CRASHED INTO WOODED TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 EST
Nearest AirportSOMERSET (0nm N)
Runway30
Runway Length2735 ft
Runway Width65 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-60
Tail NumberN90393
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1F5 · Reciprocating · 290
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 21 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC