# NTSB NYC06LA050: Piper PA-28-161, N2759M, Yonkers, NY, January 2, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 2, 2006, 11:52 local (16:52 UTC) - Place: Yonkers, NY - Coordinates: 40.849998, -73.940002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8500&lon=-73.9400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63022 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06LA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63022/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA050 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a ditching. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Ditching, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The private pilot and flight instructor were flying in the visual flight rules (VFR) corridor along the Hudson River. The airplane was in cruise flight about 900 feet agl, traveling north over the river when without warning, the engine sputtered and lost all power near the George Washington Bridge. The pilots did not hear any mechanical binding, and the propeller continued to turn while the engine sputtered. The flight instructor transmitted a distress signal, and took control of the airplane. An attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful, and the flight instructor ditched the airplane in the Hudson River. Prior to takeoff, the private pilot had the airplane completely fueled. In addition, the airplane underwent a 100-hour inspection about 45 days prior to the accident. At that time, the airplane had accumulated 4,939 hours of operation. As of the publication date of this report, the wreckage had not been located. ## Factual narrative On January 2, 2006, at 1152 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2759M, was substantially damaged while ditching in the Hudson River, following a total loss of engine power in cruise flight near Yonkers, New York. The certificated private pilot and flight instructor sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight that departed South Jersey Regional Airport (VAY), Mount Holly, New Jersey; destined for Lincoln Park Airport (N07), Lincoln Park, New Jersey. No flight plan was filed for the instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilots stated that the flight instructor was familiarizing him with operating in the visual flight rules (VFR) corridor along the Hudson River. Prior to takeoff, the private pilot had the airplane completely fueled. The airplane was in cruise flight about 900 feet agl, traveling north over the river when without warning, the engine sputtered and lost all power near the George Washington Bridge. The pilots did not hear any mechanical binding, and the propeller continued to turn while the engine sputtered. The flight instructor transmitted a distress signal, and took control of the airplane. An attempt to restart the engine was unsuccessful, and the flight instructor ditched the airplane in the Hudson River. The New York City Police Department and United States Coast Guard subsequently rescued the pilots, and searched for the wreckage. As of the publication date of this report, the wreckage had not been located. The airplane underwent a 100-hour inspection on November 15, 2005. At that time, the airplane had accumulated 4,939 hours of operation. LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Flushing, New York, was located about 5 miles southeast of the accident site. The reported weather at LGA, at 1151, was: wind from 160 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 miles; few clouds at 12,000 feet; overcast ceiling at 15,000 feet; temperature 45 degrees F; dew point 30 degrees F; altimeter 30.20 inches Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2759M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2759M-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 28-7816307, built 1977 (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: 7816307 - Airframe hours: 4939 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Kenmarson Aero Club - Registered owner: Trinity Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 2005 - Departed: VAY, Mount Holly, NJ - Destination: N07, Lincoln Park, NJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 118 total, 83 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 42; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 717 total, 314 in this make and model, 636 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: LGA, 5 nm away 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.