# NTSB NYC82FGT16: Bucker Jungmann BU-131, N55JG, Tower City, PA, July 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1982, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Tower City, PA
- Location: 40.5884° N, 76.5531° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tower City, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5884&lon=-76.5531&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FGT16
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FGT16

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS ABOUT 50 FT AGL DURING TAKEOFF AND LANDED IN A ROLLING FIELD OF CROPS. THE PLANE CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A RIGHT BANK/NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND CAME TO REST AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. THE ENGINE SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE AND THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FUEL, OIL AND IGNITION SYSTEMS. SMALL RUSTED METTALIC PARTICLES WERE FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR, FUEL SCREEN, FUEL LINES AND IN THE FUEL, BUT NO BLOCKAGE WAS VERIFIED. AN INSPECTION OF THE FUEL DISPENSING EQUIPMENT, WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED, REVEALED THAT THE EQUIPMENT WAS IN A DETERIORATED CONDITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55JG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55JG-2008-12-16), registration cancelled 2008-12-16, S/N 56, built 1939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BUCKER JUNGMANN BU-131
- Registry model: [Bucker JUNGMAN BU-131](https://openairdocs.org/model/bucker-jungman-bu-131) (registry code 1590100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 340
- Engines: HIRTH HM504 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: C. Jay Seiler
- Registered owner: C. Jay Seiler
- Departed: TOWER CITY, PA
- Destination: TOWER CITY, PA
- Airport: Bendigo, runway 25, 2,500 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 21,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 189 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820722031829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820722031829A), Jul 22, 1982: Buker JUNGMAN, Tower City, PA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Crash landed off end of runway. Contaminated fuel from deteriorated fuel dispensing system.

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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