# NTSB BFO92LA016: Piper PA-28-151, N3906F, Mount Holly, NJ, January 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1992, 21:00 local (Jan 7, 1992, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Mount Holly, NJ
- Location: 39.9929° N, 74.7877° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Holly, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9929&lon=-74.7877&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA016

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - light condition - bright night
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS AT NIGHT.  DUE TO HIS LACK OF NIGHT EXPERIENCE, HE HAD A COMMERCIAL PILOT ACT AS HIS SAFETY PILOT. THE PILOT STATED THAT ON FINAL APPROACH, HE NOTED HIS ALTITUDE WAS 250 FEET, THE AIRSPEED WAS 85 KNOTS, AND THE FLAPS WERE AT THE SECOND NOTCH. HE STATED THAT HE REALIZED HIS ALTITUDE WAS LOW, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER.  HE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE DID NOT PRODUCE FULL POWER AND THIS HE ATTRIBUTED TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A MAGNETO FAILURE.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND 900 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER.  THE SAFETY PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED DURING THE TURN FROM BASE TO FINAL; HOWEVER, ON FINAL WHEN HE LIFTED HIS HEAD AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW, HE NOTICED TREES IN FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT.  THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE TREES, AND THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE FAA DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3906F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3906F-1993-12-06), registration cancelled 1993-12-06, S/N 287615430 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7615430
- Airframe hours: 2827
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenmarson Aero Club
- Registered owner: Mark Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: N14, LUMBERTON, NJ
- Destination: 7MY
- Airport: 7MY, So. Jersey Regional, runway 26, 3,911 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 324 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHL, 20 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 19920106000269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920106000269A), Jan 6, 1992: Piper PA28151, Mount Holly, NJ, Substantial damage. On night checkout flight became low on approach. Engine failed respond. Impacted short. Beleive carburetor icing.

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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