# NTSB MIA95LA034: Piper PA-28-140, N404FL, Fajardo, PR, December 4, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1994, 06:05 local (10:05 UTC)
- Place: Fajardo, PR
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA034

## Probable cause

THE MALFUNCTION OF A MAGNETO RESULTING IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT NOTED THE ENGINE RUNNING 'ROUGH. HE FLEW THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. ON FINAL APPROACH HE STATED THE ENGINE WOULD NOT DEVELOP ENOUGH POWER TO MAKE THE RUNWAY AND HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING INTO A MARSH SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AFTER RECOVERY REVEALED THE RIGHT MAGNETO WAS WORN AND WOULD ONLY PRODUCE PARTIAL POWER.

## Factual narrative

On December 4, 1994, about 0605 Atlantic standard time, N404FL, a Piper PA-28-140 crashed near Fajardo Airport, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. N404FL was registered to the pilot Mr. Jesus M.A. Molina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the proposed flight to Vieques, Puerto Rico. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercially-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight had just originated at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated he took off on runway 07 and noted a rough running engine. He then flew a traffic pattern to return to the airport. On final approach the engine lost power and he executed a forced landing to a marsh short of the runway.

The engine was removed from the airplane for teardown and examination by FAA personnel. The examination was conducted on February 2, 1995. No discrepancies were noted. The carburetor and magnetos were removed and sent to a repair station for further examination. The carburetor was bench checked and flowed normally. The magnetos were bench examined and the left magneto checked to be operable with normal wear noted. The right magneto produced minimal spark, and would not fire normally in the test stand.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff
  - ignition system,magneto - malfunction (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N404FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N404FL-1997-10-29), registration cancelled 1997-10-29, S/N 287225520 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7225520
- Airframe hours: 4673
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Molina, Jesus Martinez A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1994, 16 hours before
- Destination: VQS, VIEQUES, PR
- Airport: X95, Fajardo, runway 7, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 505 total, 177 in this make and model, 444 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NRR

## 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 19941204040439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941204040439A), Dec 4, 1994: Piper PA28140, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Rough engine on climbout. Circled. Lost power on approach. Landed in a marsh short of runway.

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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