# NTSB ERA12LA425: Piper PA-28-140, N449FL, Lakewood, NJ, June 29, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2012, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Lakewood, NJ - Coordinates: 40.063331, -74.18222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0633&lon=-74.1822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84140 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA425 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84140/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84140 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA425 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during climb for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination of the engine and engine systems or during postaccident operational testing of the engine. ## 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-28-140, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102802), [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 (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the first two takeoffs were normal. However, during the initial climb after the third takeoff, the pilot observed a loss of engine performance and the airplane would not maintain the proper climb speed. Unable to continue the climb, the pilot set up for a forced landing beyond the departure end of the runway. After touchdown, the airplane struck trees and a fence, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed lower than normal compression on the number 2 cylinder when the engine was cold; however, compression on all cylinders was normal after the engine was allowed to warm up. The engine was test run and no anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2012, about 1645 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N449FL, was substantially damaged following a partial loss of engine power and collision with terrain near Lakewood Airport (N12), Lakewood, New Jersey. The certificated airline transport pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated at N12 about 1630. The pilot reported that he was taking three children for a ride in the airplane. He reported a gross takeoff weight of 1,987 pounds with a maximum allowable takeoff weight of 2,150 pounds. The first two takeoffs were uneventful. During the initial climb after the third takeoff, he observed a loss of engine performance and the airplane would not maintain the proper climb speed. Unable to continue the climb, he set up for a forced landing past the departure end of the runway. Just prior to ground contact, he pulled the mixture control and turned off the master switch. The airplane struck trees and a fence, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The inspector confirmed substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to all flight control surfaces. The wreckage was recovered to a local maintenance facility where a subsequent examination of the engine was performed. The magnetos were turned and produced spark at each spark plug lead. Fuel was present in the fuel gascolator. The engine crankshaft was turned manually to check for cylinder compression. The numbers 1, 3, and 4 cylinders produced 68, 74, and 79 pounds per square inch (psi) of compression, respectively. The number two cylinder would only produce 16 psi. Other than some oil leaking from the cylinder when the lower spark plug was removed, there were no other anomalies noted with the cylinder. The FAA inspector reported that the number 4 cylinder was replaced in March, 2012, at the last annual inspection, due to low compression. At that time, the number 2 cylinder produced 75 psi compression. At the time of the accident, the engine total time was 3,571 hours, and 1,276 hours since the last major overhaul. Following the examination by the FAA inspector, a test run on the engine was performed by a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization. The engine was started several times and all engine parameters were normal. The engine ran normally using the engine driven fuel pump. The electric fuel boost pump operated when energized by a battery. Both magneto checks were satisfactory. Oil pressure was observed inside the green arc. After the engine was warmed up, a compression check was accomplishedand all cylinders showed normal compression. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N449FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N449FL-2015-05-12), registration cancelled 2015-05-12, S/N 28-7125241, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7125241 - Airframe hours: 6700 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert D Marks - Registered owner: Massa William H - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 2012, 13 hours before - Departed: N12, Lakewood, NJ - Destination: N12, Lakewood, NJ - Airport: N12, Lakewood Airport, runway 24, 2,912 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 31,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.68 inHg - Observed at: BLM, 7 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 20120629015319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120629015319A), Jun 29, 2012: Piper PA-28-140, Lakewood, NJ, Destroyed. On June 29, 2012 a Piper PA-28-140, N449FL, departed Lakewood Airport (N12) for a local flight. The pilot was ATP rated with over 31000 hours. The duration of… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84140. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375665&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Additional Information Provided by Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Information%20Provided%20by%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Excerpt - Engine Logbook (item 4, .PDF, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20-%20Engine%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Mechanic Statement (item 5, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mechanic%20Statement-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.