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NTSB Report
November 2, 1985 · Piper PA-32-300 · N4007W
New York, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 2, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
New York, NY
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N4007W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC86LA028
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO PROVIDE THE STUDENT WITH NIGHT FLYING INSTRUCTION. THE PREFLIGHT AND RUN UP REVELAED NO DISCREPANCIES AND 10 QUARTS OF OIL WERE DETERMINED TO BE IN THE ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT PROCEEDED SOUTH ALONG THE HUDSON RIVER UNTIL ABOUT 2 MILES SOUTH OF LIBERTY STATE PARK WHERE A LEFT TURN WAS ENTERED IN ORDER TO OBSERVE A FIREWORKS DISPLAY. AN ENGINE SURGE WAS EXPERIENCED DUE TO THE PROPELLER PITCH DECREASING AND THE PILOT NOTICED AN ODOR ASSOCIATED WITH A HOT ENGINE. THE PILOT NOTICED THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE READING OF ZERO AND CONTACTED NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO ADVISE THEM OF THE EMERGENCY. DURING THE FLIGHT TO NEWARK, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND PARALLEL TO THE SOUTHERN SHORE OF LIBERTY PARK IN THE WATER. AFTER THE DITCHING, THE COAST GUARD RESCUED THE TWO OCCUPANTS WHO HAD EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND WERE STANDING ON THE WINGS.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO PROVIDE THE STUDENT WITH NIGHT FLYING INSTRUCTION. THE PREFLIGHT AND RUN UP REVELAED NO DISCREPANCIES AND 10 QUARTS OF OIL WERE DETERMINED TO BE IN THE ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT PROCEEDED SOUTH ALONG THE HUDSON RIVER UNTIL ABOUT 2 MILES SOUTH OF LIBERTY STATE PARK WHERE A LEFT TURN WAS ENTERED IN ORDER TO OBSERVE A FIREWORKS DISPLAY. AN ENGINE SURGE WAS EXPERIENCED DUE TO THE PROPELLER PITCH DECREASING AND THE PILOT NOTICED AN ODOR ASSOCIATED WITH A HOT ENGINE. THE PILOT NOTICED THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE READING OF ZERO AND CONTACTED NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO ADVISE THEM OF THE EMERGENCY. DURING THE FLIGHT TO NEWARK, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND PARALLEL TO THE SOUTHERN SHORE OF LIBERTY PARK IN THE WATER. AFTER THE DITCHING, THE COAST GUARD RESCUED THE TWO OCCUPANTS WHO HAD EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND WERE STANDING ON THE WINGS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:55 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN4007W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-KIA5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind90° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC