# NTSB NYC80FNE01: Piper PA-32S, N5223S, W.Springfield, MA, October 20, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: October 20, 1979
- Place: W.Springfield, MA · W.SPRINGFIELD, MA
- Location: 42.1070° N, 72.6204° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Springfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1070&lon=-72.6204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 17, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC80FNE01
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FNE01

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3553  79/10/20   W.SPRINGFIELD,MA    PIPER PA-32S        CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 575
        TIME - 1340                    N5223S              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 270 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WESTFIELD,MA                HARTFORD,CT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- 3/4 CUP OF WATER DRAINED FM FUEL SYS DRAIN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5223S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5223S-1981-12-23), registration cancelled 1981-12-23, S/N 32S40918 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32S
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19791020029869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791020029869A), Oct 20, 1979: Piper PA32S300, West Springfiel, MA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped during climb to cruise. Emergency landed in trees. Found water in fuel. Inadequate pre flight.

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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