# NTSB NYC81FNE07: Piper PA-28, N4232F, Westfield, MA, December 20, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: December 20, 1980
- Place: Westfield, MA · WESTFIELD, MA
- Location: 42.1251° N, 72.7495° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Westfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1251&lon=-72.7495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC81FNE07
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FNE07

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3490  80/12/20   WESTFIELD,MA        PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 23, 57 TOTAL
        TIME - 1600                    N4232F              PX-  0  0  0  SOLO                      HOURS, 36 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BARNES MUNICIPAL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          STRATFORD,CT                WESTFIELD,MA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: LINES AND FITTINGS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LOOSE,PART/FITTING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LEAK/LEAKAGE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- FLEXIBLE HOSE ASSEMBLY,ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP TO ENGINE FUEL PUMP, P/N 63901-12,LOOSE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4232F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4232F), registered now, S/N 28-7725005, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (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: Barnes Municipal

## 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 19801220075039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801220075039A), Dec 20, 1980: Piper PA28140, Westfield, MA, Substantial damage. Engine quit near destination from fuel starvation. Ran one tank empty, failed toswitch to other . Leaky fuel line.

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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