# NTSB NYC77FA026: Piper PA-30, N44SS, College Point, NY, December 31, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: December 31, 1976
- Place: College Point, NY · COLLEGE POINT, NY
- Location: 40.7876° N, 73.8460° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of College Point, NY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7876&lon=-73.8460&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 17, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 156614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC77FA026
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FA026

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3916  76/12/31   COLLEGE POINT,NY    PIPER PA-30         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 53, 1700
        TIME - 1416                    N44SS               PX-  0  3  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 700 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FLUSHING
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FLUSHING,NY                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL                                                    LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS - FOREIGN MATERIAL AFFECTING NORMAL OPERATIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS - SABOTAGE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ICE-IN FUEL
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- SNOW PURPOSELY PACKED IN FUEL TANKS 3 DAYS PRIOR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44SS-1977-07-07), registration cancelled 1977-07-07, S/N 30-651, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Flushing

## 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 19761231042579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19761231042579A), Dec 31, 1976: Piper PA30, College Point, NY, Destroyed. Snow purposely packed in fuel tanks 3 days prior.

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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