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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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March 9, 1985 · Piper PA-28-140 · N1859J

Friendship, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 9, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Friendship, MD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N1859J
Operator
James W Davis
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85FA025

THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED WOODBRIDGE, VA, EN ROUTE ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, FOR THE AFTERNOON. AS THE ACFT APPROACHED THE CHESAPEAKE BAY IN A CLIMB THE ENG LOST PWR. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG AND WAS FORCED TO LAND ON PVT PROPERTY. DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES BEFORE COMING TO REST ON TERRAIN THAT LED UP TO RESIDENCES. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE SCREW AND LOCKPLATE WERE MISSING FROM THE CRANKSHAFT DRIVE GEAR AND THAT THE STEPPED DOWEL ON THE END OF THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND SHEARED. THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR FITS INTO AND DRIVES THE ENG OIL PUMP.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED WOODBRIDGE, VA, EN ROUTE ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, FOR THE AFTERNOON. AS THE ACFT APPROACHED THE CHESAPEAKE BAY IN A CLIMB THE ENG LOST PWR. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG AND WAS FORCED TO LAND ON PVT PROPERTY. DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES BEFORE COMING TO REST ON TERRAIN THAT LED UP TO RESIDENCES. EXAMINATION OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE SCREW AND LOCKPLATE WERE MISSING FROM THE CRANKSHAFT DRIVE GEAR AND THAT THE STEPPED DOWEL ON THE END OF THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND SHEARED. THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR FITS INTO AND DRIVES THE ENG OIL PUMP.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:50 EST
Nearest AirportLee Airport (15nm S)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN1859J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames W Davis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 23 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data