# NTSB NYC74FNA31: Piper J5A, N30313, Westford, MA, January 6, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: January 6, 1974
- Place: Westford, MA · WESTFORD, MA
- Location: 42.5793° N, 71.4378° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Westford, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5793&lon=-71.4378&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 186740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC74FNA31
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74FNA31

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1075   74/1/6    WESTFORD,MASS       PIPER J5A           CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 52, 425
        TIME - 1330                    N30313              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 8 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BROWN
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WESTFORD,MASS               PEPPERELL,MASS
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL CONTAMINATION-EXCLUSIVE OF WATER IN FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- WATER,RUST,DIRT FOUND IN FUEL FROM QUICK DRAIN AND STRAINER BOWL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30313](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30313-2016-12-19), registration cancelled 2016-12-19, S/N 5-170, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J5A
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Brown

## 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 19740106000919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740106000919A), Jan 6, 1974: Piper J5A, Westford, MA, Substantial damage. Water,rust,dirt found in fuel from quick drain and strainer bowl.

## Other investigations on N30313 (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 CEN16LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA322), Aug 10, 2016: Piper J5C (N30313), Sandusky, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and a subsequent loss of control followed by a runway excursion.

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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