# NTSB NYC07CA133: Piper PA-44-180, N2173S, Lumberton, NJ, June 7, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 7, 2007, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Lumberton, NJ - Coordinates: 39.934165, -74.80722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9342&lon=-74.8072&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65939 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65939/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA133 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's improper decision to simulate an engine failure in the traffic pattern by cutting off fuel to the engine, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - aborted ## Analysis According to the flight instructor of the PA-44, while conducting a training flight with his student, he simulated a left engine failure and the student proceeded to enter the traffic pattern for runway 19. Upon touchdown, "the rear of the airplane and the right wing raised off the ground" and the flight instructor instructed his student to "Go-Around." The airplane began to track left and the flight instructor took the controls. He was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane exited the runway collapsing the left main gear and substantially damaging the airplane. The student pilot reported that the flight instructor simulated the engine failure by "cutting off fuel to the left engine," and the flight instructor reported he must have "forgotten to turn the fuel back on" during the go-around. No mechanical deficiencies were reported with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the flight instructor of the PA-44, while conducting a training flight with his student, he simulated a left engine failure and the student proceeded to enter the traffic pattern for runway 19. Upon touchdown, "the rear of the airplane and the right wing raised off the ground" and the flight instructor instructed his student to "Go-Around." The airplane began to track left and the flight instructor took the controls. He was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane exited the runway collapsing the left main gear and substantially damaging the airplane. The student pilot reported that the flight instructor simulated the engine failure by "cutting off fuel to the left engine," and the flight instructor reported he must have "forgotten to turn the fuel back on" during the go-around. No mechanical deficiencies were reported with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2173S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2173S), registered now, S/N 44-7995245, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-44-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (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: 44-7995245 - Airframe hours: 7287 - Engines: Lycoming 0-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming LO-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hortman Aviation Services, doing business as Flight Instruction - Registered owner: Margaret M Froman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007 - Departed: N87, Robbinsville, NJ - Destination: N14, Lumberton, NJ - Airport: N14, Flying W Airport, runway 19, 3,496 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 1,053 total, 84 in this make and model, 789 as pilot in command, 159 in the last 90 days, 69 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KVAY, 2 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 20070607014639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070607014639A), Jun 7, 2007: Piper PA44180, Lumberton, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) The CFI and student onboard stated: after taking control of the aircraft from [privacy data omitted] (student), [privacy data omitted] (CFI) was unable… ## Other investigations on N2173S (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 WPR17FA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA151), Jul 14, 2017: Piper PA 44-180 (N2173S), Marineland, FL, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: A loss of control in flight for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. 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.