# NTSB NYC82FNE03: Piper PA-28-140, N721FL, Ellington, CT, February 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1982, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Ellington, CT
- Location: 41.9040° N, 72.4698° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ellington, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9040&lon=-72.4698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FNE03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FNE03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,nozzle - incorrect (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - other (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALLOWED TO WARM UP FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES AT END OF THE RUNWAY BEFORE TAKEOFF. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (IP) REPORTED THAT THE BEFORE TAKEOFF RUN-UP WAS MADE BY USING THE CHECKLIST AND ALL ENGINE INSTRUMENTS WERE IN-THE-GREEN. HE REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT REACHED ABOUT 125 FT AGL WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED, THEN STARTED AND TWO TIMES. HE TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT FROM THE STUDENT AND TURNED TO THE LEFT TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. BEFORE LANDING, HE SAW A TELEPHONE LINE, AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE LINE AND A POLE BY FLYING UNDER THE WIRE WHILE TURNING RIGHT. HOWEVER, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE POLE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED EXCESSIVE SOOT ON THE SPARK PLUGS OF THE NO. 1 AND 2 CYLINDERS. AN INSPECTION OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED THAT AN IMPROPER NOZZLE HAD BEEN INSTALLED. DURING AN OPERATIONAL CHECK, THE ENGINE RAN AT 2400 RPM AT FULL RIGHT WOULD INCREASE TO 2500 RPM WHEN LEANED. ALSO, EXCESSIVE POPPING NOISES WERE NOTED WHEN IT WAS OPERATED AT FULL RICH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N721FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N721FL-1982-09-24), registration cancelled 1982-09-24, S/N 28-7225403 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7225903
- Airframe hours: 4813
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Marshall Bagg
- Registered owner: Marshall Bagg
- Departed: ELLINGTON, CT
- Destination: ELLINGTON, CT
- Airport: Ellington, runway 1, 1,900 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 548 total, 542 in this make and model, 351 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °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 19820205002949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820205002949A), Feb 5, 1982: Piper PA28140, Ellington, CT, Substantial damage. Engine malfunction during initial climb. Aircraft hit pole during emergency landing.

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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