# NTSB NYC08LA070: Cessna 182R, N9412X, Pittstown, NJ, December 26, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 26, 2007, 09:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Pittstown, NJ - Coordinates: 40.587501, -75.019165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5875&lon=-75.0192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67305/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA070 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - powerplant - undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis According to the pilot, he took off from runway 26 using "normal power." After takeoff, approximately 50 feet above the ground, the power "reduced" and the propeller completely stopped. The pilot landed in the grass next to the runway, the nose wheel dug into the ground and broke off, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot further stated that he had completed the preflight checklist prior to engine start, including checking the fuel for water, and that there was adequate fuel on board. He also recalled checking the carburetor heat during the engine run-up, with no significant reduction in engine smoothness, just prior to takeoff. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector on scene confirmed crankshaft continuity. He could not find fuel in the carburetor, but noted that it had been upside down for 3 to 4 hours prior to his arrival. He also confirmed that a "full load of fuel" had been onboard at startup. No preimpact mechanical anomalies were noted ## Factual narrative On December 26, 2007, at 0955 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182R, N9412X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, shortly after taking off from Alexandria Airport (N85), Pittstown, New Jersey. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The personal flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, he took off from runway 26 utilizing "normal power." After takeoff, approximately 50 feet above the ground, the power "reduced" and the propeller completely stopped. The pilot landed in the grass next to the runway, the nose wheel dug into the ground and broke off, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot further stated that he had completed the preflight checklist prior to engine start, including draining fuel from the tanks. He also recalled checking the carburetor heat during the engine run-up, with no significant reduction in engine smoothness, just prior to takeoff. The pilot also noted that the airplane had been kept in an open air, unheated hangar. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector on scene confirmed crankshaft continuity. He could not find fuel in the carburetor, but noted that it had been upside down for 3 to 4 hours prior to his arrival. He also confirmed that a "full load of fuel" had been onboard at startup. The pilot, age 37, held a private pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. The pilot reported 191 hours of flight time, with 121 hours in make and model. Weather, reported at an airport 25 nautical miles to the southeast, included clear skies, winds 010 degrees true at 4 knots, temperature 1 degree Celsius (C), and dew point minus 2 degrees C. An FAA carburetor icing probability chart indicated a probability of "moderate icing at cruise power or serious icing at glide power." In addition, a review of temperatures from the previous evening night revealed that they were below freezing for at least 12 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9412X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9412X-2009-01-15), registration cancelled 2009-01-15, S/N 18268516, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R - Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18268516 - Airframe hours: 1446 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 2007 - Departed: N85, Pittstown, NJ - Destination: N85, Pittstown, NJ - Airport: N85, Alexandria Airport, runway 26, 2,550 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review October 14, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 191 total, 121 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 4 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: TTN, 25 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 20071226829129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071226829129A), Dec 26, 2007: Cessna 182R, Pittstown, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that engine failed completely at 50 ft AGL on takeoff from runway 26 at Alexandria Airport (N85). Pilot made an emergency landing on grass… 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.