# NTSB ERA10LA395: Piper PA-28-161, N9101M, Blossvale, NY, August 3, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 2010, 08:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Blossvale, NY - Coordinates: 43.252777, -75.596664 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2528&lon=-75.5967&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76845 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA395 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76845/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76845 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA395 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, at about 100 to 150 feet above ground level, the engine began to lose power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and the engine subsequently lost all power. The airplane then collided with trees during a forced landing about 1,200 feet east of the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported that there was adequate fuel on board for the flight; both fuel tanks were damaged during the collision and there was evidence of leaking fuel at the site. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preexisting mechanical anomalies. While the airplane was operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing at glide power at the time of the accident, the investigation was unable to determine if carburetor ice caused the power loss. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 2010, about 0845 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N9101M, was substantially damaged following an impact with trees and terrain when the engine failed shortly after takeoff at Becks Grove Airport (K16), Blossvale, New York. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The certificated private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. Day, visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported that the flight was destined for White Plains, New York. Shortly after takeoff on runway 6, about 100 to 150 feet above the ground, the engine “sputtered and lost power.” The pilot switched fuel tanks and the engine quit. During an attempt to return to the airport, the airplane was force landed in a wooded area about 1,200 feet east of the departure end of runway 6. The pilot reported that there was adequate fuel on board for the flight. Two inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. They reported that the wing fuel tanks were damaged, resulting in a fuel spill at the accident site. The wreckage was then recovered to the airport where a more detailed examination was performed. The propeller was turned by hand and internal engine continuity was confirmed. Compression was observed on all four cylinders. The magnetos produced a spark on all leads when turned by hand. The engine-driven fuel pump was removed and operated normally when actuated by hand. The fuel strainer was crushed. The spark plugs were removed and exhibited normal color and wear. The carburetor accelerator pump operated normally when actuated manually. A small amount of residual fuel was drained from the carburetor and no evidence of water was found. The engine controls were intact. The mixture was in the full rich position, the throttle was full open, and the carburetor heat was off. The fuel tank selector valve was found in the right tank position. The selector valve functioned normally when compressed air was released through the fuel lines. The 0853 weather observation for Rome, New York (RME) included the following: ceiling 3,700 feet overcast, surface winds from 110 degrees at 5 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, temperature 23 degrees Celsius, dew point 19 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.04 inches of mercury. Carburetor icing charts indicate the aircraft was operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing at glide power at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9101M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9101M-2012-03-28), registration cancelled 2012-03-28, S/N 28--8516039, built 1985 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28--8516039 - Airframe hours: 7087 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Deppmeyer Timothy S - Registered owner: Deppmeyer Timothy S - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2009, 58 hours before - Departed: K16, Blossvale, NY - Destination: HPN, White Plains, NY - Airport: K16, Becks Grove Airport, runway 06, 3,000 × 23 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,047 total, 22 in this make and model, 992 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: RME, 9 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 20100803046249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100803046249A), Aug 3, 2010: Piper PA-28-161, Blossvale, NY, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed K16 VFR. At approx. 100 AGL engine began to loss power pilot announced he was switching fuel tanks and boost pump was on, engine had quit by… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 15, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76845. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 803 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Aircraft Wreckage in Trees (FAA Digital Photo) (item 3, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Aircraft%20Wreckage%20in%20Trees%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF 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.