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NTSB Report
July 14, 1984 · Piper J4A · N33290
Gardner, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 14, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Gardner, MA
Aircraft
Piper J4A
Tail Number
N33290
Operator
Steven R Barrieau
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC84FNE03
DURING CLIMBOUT, PLT NOTED SLIGHT PWR LOSS, APPLIED CARB HEAT & ENG REGAINED PWR. ON REMOVAL OF CARB HEAT, PWR LOSS (APRX 200 RPM) AGAIN OCCURRED. APPLICATION OF CARB HEAT AGAIN RESORTED PWR BUT PLT ELECTED TO TURN BACK TO FIELD AND LAND. DURING TURN, PLT BELIEVES A WIND GUST CAUSED THE LEFT WING TO DROP. PLT STATED TO WITNESS HE HAD FULL BACK STICK AND FULL AILERON CONTROL INPUTS BUT ACFT DID NOT RECOVER FROM LEFT WING DOWN, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. TEMP 85 DEGS, DEW POINT 65 DEGS, DENSITY ALT 3,000 FT. AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS BEING USED. ACFT WAS NEAR GROSS WEIGHT. ALT AT PWR LOSS WAS 200 FT AGL.
Full Narrative
DURING CLIMBOUT, PLT NOTED SLIGHT PWR LOSS, APPLIED CARB HEAT & ENG REGAINED PWR. ON REMOVAL OF CARB HEAT, PWR LOSS (APRX 200 RPM) AGAIN OCCURRED. APPLICATION OF CARB HEAT AGAIN RESORTED PWR BUT PLT ELECTED TO TURN BACK TO FIELD AND LAND. DURING TURN, PLT BELIEVES A WIND GUST CAUSED THE LEFT WING TO DROP. PLT STATED TO WITNESS HE HAD FULL BACK STICK AND FULL AILERON CONTROL INPUTS BUT ACFT DID NOT RECOVER FROM LEFT WING DOWN, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. TEMP 85 DEGS, DEW POINT 65 DEGS, DENSITY ALT 3,000 FT. AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS BEING USED. ACFT WAS NEAR GROSS WEIGHT. ALT AT PWR LOSS WAS 200 FT AGL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:40 EDT
Nearest AirportGARDNER (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J4A
Tail NumberN33290
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSteven R Barrieau
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 8 kt, gusting 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO