# NTSB BFO93LA022: Piper PA-28-180, N7804W, Poestenkill, NY, January 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1993, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Poestenkill, NY
- Coordinates: 42.689838, -73.560943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6898&lon=-73.5609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA022

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE PERFORMED A THOROUGH PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND RUN UP PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.  DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT, THE ENGINE 'DIED' AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING.  DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRPLANE HIT A DIRT BANK AND WAS DAMAGED.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT FUEL WAS AVAILABLE TO THE ENGINE AND NO DISCREPANCIES WITH ANY OF THE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS WERE NOTED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A FLIGHT EIGHT DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE 'SPUTTERED' WHEN IN A CLIMB ATTITUDE.  THE ENGINE REGAINED POWER WHEN IN LEVEL FLIGHT OR WITH THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP ON.  AFTER THAT FLIGHT, A MECHANIC CHECKED THE AIRPLANE, BUT FOUND NO DISCREPANCY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7804W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7804W-1993-07-27), registration cancelled 1993-07-27, S/N 281795 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1795
- Airframe hours: 2522
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas F. Zimmie
- Registered owner: Thomas F. Zimmie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1992, 5 hours before
- Departed: 5B7
- Destination: 5B7
- Airport: 5B7, Rensselaer Airport, runway 36, 2,670 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,045 total, 90 in this make and model, 990 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 15 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 19930116000569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930116000569A), Jan 16, 1993: Piper PA28180, Troy, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Broke off right wing landing on a street. No anomalies but water and dirt in fuel system.

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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