# NTSB BFO94LA037: Piper PA-28-161, N1877Q, Taunton, MA, February 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 4, 1994, 12:33 local (17:33 UTC) - Place: Taunton, MA - Location: 41.8811° N, 71.0530° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from TAUNTON MUNI/KING FLD (TAN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8811&lon=-71.0530&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8887/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA037 ## Probable cause A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN TO ENABLE THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB, ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE STUDENT PILOT, ON A SOLO FLIGHT, STATED THAT THE TACHOMETER INDICATED ZERO, AND HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE STATED THAT HE TRIED TO LAND ON A NARROW STREET BUT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TRANSMISSION WIRE AND SPUN AROUND 170 DEGREES, OPPOSITE THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, BEFORE IT FELL TO THE GROUND. AN FAA SAFETY INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT HE AUTHORIZED THE REMOVAL OF THE AIRPLANE FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. HOWEVER, THE OWNER, WITHOUT THE FAA BEING PRESENT TO SUPERVISE THE ENGINE EXAMINATION, STATED THAT HE SUCCESSFULLY RAN THE ENGINE. UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. ## Factual narrative On Friday, February 4, 1994, at 1233 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N1877Q, lost engine power during takeoff from runway 30 and collided with the ground at Taunton, Massachusetts. The student pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated under 14 CFR 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Taunton. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a flight plan was not filed. The pilot reported that while climbing out at 300 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. He stated that the rpm gage was indicating zero, and he tried to restart the engine but he was unsuccessful. He stated that he tried to land on a narrow street, but the airplane struck a transmission wire and spun around 170 degrees before it fell to the ground. The FAA Aviation Safety Inspector stated that he instructed the owner to remove the airplane, and that further examination of the airplane must be completed under his supervision. Upon his return to complete the examination, the owner reported that he had completed the engine run and he also gave the FAA a fuel sample. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1877Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1877Q-1994-09-16), registration cancelled 1994-09-16, S/N 287716088 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7716088 - Airframe hours: 8393 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: King Services Of Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: King Services Of Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 17, 1994, 35 hours before - Destination: TAN - Airport: TAN, Taunton, runway 30, 3,496 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 42 total, 12 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 9 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BDR, 1 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 19940204001509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940204001509A), Feb 4, 1994: Piper PA28161, Taunton, MA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Struck wire landing on a street. Spun around and fell to ground. Unable determine cause. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.