# NTSB NYC78FA006: Porterfield 35W, N19448, Ft Devens, MA, November 12, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 12, 1977
- Place: Ft Devens, MA · FT DEVENS, MA
- Location: 42.5073° N, 71.6667° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Devens, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5073&lon=-71.6667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 145390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC78FA006
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FA006

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3310  77/11/12   FT DEVENS,MA        PORTERFIELD 35W     CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1607                    N19448              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 50, 1038 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            10 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MOORE ARMY AIRFLD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FT DEVENS,MA                N HAMPTON,NH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           STALL: SPIN                                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION W/KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: PISTON,PISTON RINGS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- PARTS OF PISTON PIN PLUGS FOUND IN ENG.PILOT WAS AWARE OF ENG PROBLEMS PRIOR TO FLT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19448](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19448-2009-07-10), registration cancelled 2009-07-10, S/N 321, built 1938 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PORTERFIELD 35W
- Registry model: [Northwestern PORTERFIELD 35-W](https://openairdocs.org/model/northwestern-porterfield-35-w) (registry code 6480138) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Warner SCA JR series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-sca-jr-series) (registry code 64501, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Moore Army Airfld

## 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 19771112036769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771112036769A), Nov 12, 1977: Norwst 75CPORTFLD, Ft Devens, MA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Parts of piston pin plugs found in eng. Pilot was aware of eng problems prior to flt.

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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