# NTSB ERA14LA141: Piper PA-28-161, N1449H, Atlantic City, NJ, March 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 4, 2014, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Atlantic City, NJ - Coordinates: 39.4575, -74.577224 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4575&lon=-74.5772&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88874 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88874/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88874 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA141 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power at takeoff for reasons that could not be determined during a postaccident examination or engine test run. ## 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 (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-161, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102803), [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-28-161, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102803), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/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 said that, before departure, he cleared "minor snow accumulation" from the bottom of the engine compartment. The pilot performed the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, run-up, and before takeoff checks in accordance with the applicable checklists. The engine accelerated normally during the takeoff roll with a "slight hesitation" at 2,200 to 2,300 rpm as the takeoff continued. When the airplane was at 70 knots and over the departure end of the runway, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. Rather than attempt to return to the runway or land straight ahead to wooded terrain, the pilot chose to perform a forced landing to the airport perimeter road. The airplane's left wing struck a tree and a fence and then separated from the airplane, and the airplane then impacted the road and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies, and, during a test run, the engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran without interruption through several rpm changes. The magnetos were tested and functioned as designed. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 2014, at 1650 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N1449H, operated by the FAA Flying Club, INC, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain and a fence during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff from Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Atlantic City, New Jersey. The airline transport pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot stated the purpose of the flight was to travel in order to give a presentation on cold weather survival and civilian air intercept procedures. He said he specifically checked to see if the airplane was "clear of snow and ice" prior to departure, and determined that it was, but then later described clearing the "minor snow accumulation" at the bottom of the engine compartment. The pilot described his preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, run-up, and before takeoff checks as performed in accordance with the checklist. He then described a "normal" acceleration of the engine during the takeoff roll, with a "slight hesitation" at 2,200-2,300 rpm, as he continued the takeoff. At 70 knots and over the departure end of the runway, the engine "lost significant power." Rather than attempt a return to the runway, or land straight ahead to wooded terrain, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to the airport perimeter road. Just prior to ground contact, the airplane's left wing struck a tree and a fence, and the airplane impacted the road and came to rest inverted. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. He also held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for rotorcraft-helicopter. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third class medical certificate was issued on October 21, 2013. He reported 3,245 total hours of flight experience, of which 318 hours were in single-engine airplanes. According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1977. Its most recent annual inspection was completed September 12, 2013, at 5,038.1 aircraft hours. The airplane accrued 37.1 hours of flight time after the inspection. At 1654, the weather conditions reported at ACY included calm winds, clear skies, and 10 miles of visibility. The temperature was -4 degrees C, the dew point was -9 degrees C, and the altimeter setting was 30.28 inches of mercury. Examination of photographs revealed the airplane came to rest inverted on the airport perimeter road, entangled in a fence. The left wing was separated from the airplane at the wing root. Photographs taken at the original point of touchdown, revealed slash and paint transfer marks in the pavement that were consistent with the color and dimension of the propeller blades. The airplane was removed from thesite, and recovered to the operator's ramp space at ACY. Later, it was moved to an aircraft recovery facility in Clayton, Delaware for a detailed inspection which was performed by the FAA on May 14, 2014. The airplane was secured to a flatbed trailer, with the left wing separated by impact, and the right wing removed by recovery personnel. A substitute propeller and aircraft battery were installed, and an auxiliary fuel supply was plumbed into the fuel system to attempt an engine run. The engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran without interruption. The magnetos were tested, and found to be functioning as designed. Several rpm changes, through rapid accelerations and decelerations, were accomplished with smooth operation throughout. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1449H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1449H-2018-03-09), registration cancelled 2018-03-09, S/N 28-7716025 (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: 28-7716025 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 5038 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: FAA Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: FAA Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2013, 37 hours before - Departed: ACY, Atlantic City, NJ - Destination: PNE, PHILADELPHIA, PA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: ACY, Atlantic City Intl, runway 13, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,245 total, 46 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.28 inHg - Observed at: ACY, 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 20140304002359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140304002359A), Mar 4, 2014: Piper PA-28-161, Atlantic City, NJ, Substantial damage. Pilot took off from intersection j on runway 13 at acy. At approximately 200 ft altitude, and 70 KTS, the engine lost significant power. The pilot was no… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88874. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424177&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 356 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424178&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 626 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424179&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Main Wreckage Left Side (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 443 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424180&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20Left%20Side%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Main Wreckage Right Side (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 546 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40424181&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20Right%20Side%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.