# NTSB NYC02LA077: Piper J4A, N27838, Cincinnati, OH, March 28, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 2002, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Cincinnati, OH - Coordinates: 39.149814, -84.390975 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1498&lon=-84.3910&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54435/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54435 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA077 ## Probable cause The maintenance technician's failure to properly adjust the carburetor float. Factors were the unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, while the airplane was climbing through an estimated 300 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot saw he had terrain obstructions straight ahead and to the right, and jet traffic on the ground to the left. He attempted to land between parallel runways, but approaching the touchdown area, saw there was unsuitable terrain in the form of bogs and ditches. The pilot then continued to turn another 90-120 degrees to the left. The airplane "ran out of airspeed," and the left wheel caught the side of the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane flipped over. This was the first flight after an annual inspection. During the inspection, the carburetor was replaced, and the carburetor float had also been changed. Post-accident examination revealed that the carburetor float was out of adjustment. ## Factual narrative On March 28, 2002, about 1500 eastern standard time, a Piper J4A, N27838, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, shortly after takeoff from Cincinnati Municipal-Lunken Field, Cincinnati, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was on file for the local flight. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the airplane's annual inspection had just been completed, and included the replacement of the carburetor. The pilot taxied the airplane from the maintenance facility back to his hangar area. He completed an engine run-up, then shut the airplane down and had the main tank filled with 100-octane fuel. He also conducted a pre-flight inspection, and checked the fuel. The pilot then re-started the engine, taxied to taxiway Charlie, and performed another engine run-up. He was subsequently cleared for takeoff from runway 21R. During the takeoff roll, all indications were normal, as was the initial climb. Over the departure end of runway 21R, at an estimated 300 feet, the engine "totally quit." Due to terrain obstructions ahead and to the right, and jet traffic on the ground to the left, the pilot made an immediate decision to turn back to the left, toward the grassy area between runways 21R and 21L. Approaching the ground, the terrain "appeared worse than I hoped (bogs, ditches)," so he turned the airplane another 90-120 degrees. As the airplane was approaching the touchdown area, its airspeed was 40 mph, and it was in a 20-degree angle of bank. At touchdown, the airplane "ran out of airspeed," and the left main landing gear tire caught the side of the runway. The airplane flipped over, and came to rest within 100 feet of the touchdown point. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, during the annual inspection, the carburetor was replaced, and the carburetor float had also been changed. Post-accident examination revealed that the left main landing gear was collapsed, and carburetor float was out of adjustment. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27838](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27838-2019-05-08), registration cancelled 2019-05-08, S/N 4-1059, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J4A - Registry model: [Piper J4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j4a) (registry code 7100604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4-1059 - Airframe hours: 2511 - Engines: Teledyne Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 2002, 0.5 hours before - Departed: LUK, Cincinnati, OH - Destination: LUK, OH - Airport: LUK, Cincinnati-Lunken Field, runway 21R, 3,802 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 2, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 250 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: LUK ## 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 20020328007169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020328007169A), Mar 28, 2002: Piper J4A, Cincinnati, OH, No damage. (.19) On March 28, 2002, about 1500 eastern standard time, a Piper J4A, N27838, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from Cincinnati… ## Other investigations on N27838 (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA19CA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA089), Nov 30, 2018: Piper J4 (N27838), Forest, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54435. 357 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 329 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394904&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record (item 2, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40170209&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-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.