# NTSB ATL87LA164: Piper PA-28R-201, N3965M, Unity, OH, June 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1987, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Unity, OH
- Coordinates: 40.829669, -80.540817 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8297&lon=-80.5408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7447/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA164

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CFI REPORTED THAT HE REDUCED PWR TO NEAR IDLE WITH THE THROTTLE, TO HAVE HIS STUDENT PRACTICE A SIMULATED FORCED LDG. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST PWR COMPLETELY AT ABOUT 400-500 FT AGL WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD PWR BACK SO THAT THE STUDENT COULD INITIATE A GO-AROUND. SUBSEQUENT EFFORTS TO REGAIN PWR WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, AND A FORCED LDG WAS MADE IN A FIELD. THE CFI NOTED THAT HE HAD INCREASED THE PWR MOMENTARILY SEVERAL TIMES DURING DESCENT TO 'CLEAR' THE ENGINE, AND THAT HE WAS 'SLOWLY' OPENING THE THROTTLE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST PWR. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE BY THE FAA REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3965M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3965M-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 28R7837145 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7837145
- Airframe hours: 5259
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Beaver Aviation Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Beaver Aviation Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 5, 1987, 9 hours before
- Departed: BVI, BEAVER FALLS, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,845 total, 771 in this make and model, 1,685 as pilot in command, 267 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIT, 26 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870609019149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870609019149A), Jun 9, 1987: Piper PA28R201, Unity, OH, Substantial damage. Loss of power. Forced landing in a field. Gear collapsed. Wing struck ground. Practicing emergency landing procedure

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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