# NTSB NYC81FNA07: Piper PA-28, N2551U, Norfolk, MA, January 6, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: January 6, 1981
- Place: Norfolk, MA · NORFOLK, MA
- Location: 42.1195° N, 71.3251° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norfolk, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1195&lon=-71.3251&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 1, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC81FNA07
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FNA07

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0251   81/1/6    NORFOLK,MA          PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 21, 77 TOTAL
        TIME - 1130                    N2551U              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 14 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NORFOLK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          NORWOOD,MA                  NORFOLK,MA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: ICE/SLUSH ON RUNWAY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
        REMARKS- FUEL,ALT GAUGES GO TO ZERO IF MASTER SWITCH INADVERTENTLY TURNED OFF.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2551U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2551U), registered now, S/N 28-8016034, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Norfolk

## 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 19810106000389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810106000389A), Jan 6, 1981: Piper PA28161, Norfolk, MA, Substantial damage. No radio or fuel indications, student landed at unauthorized airport. Slid off runway. Found master switch off.

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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