# NTSB NYC83FA030: Piper PA-28-180, N9103J, Plymouth, MA, November 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1982, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, MA
- Location: 41.9088° N, 70.7276° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PLYMOUTH MUNI (PYM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9088&lon=-70.7276&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72269
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72269/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA030

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN REPOSSESSED. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS FOR THE PILOT TO DEMONSTRATE IT TO ONE OR BOTH OF THE OTHER OCCUPANTS. PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN SINCE 5/20/82. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL. THE PILOT MADE A RIGHT TURN BACK TOWARD THE RUNWAY, BUT THE PLANE CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA BESIDE THE DEPARTURE END. IT WAS IN A STEEP RIGHT BANK DURING IMPACT WITH THE TREES. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT WIND TANK, FUEL SUMP AT THE ENGINE FIRE WALL, ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP AND ATTACHED LINES, ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP AND CARBURETOR. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT TANK. ALSO, THE ATTACH CABLE FOR THE RIGHT INBOARD SEAT BELT WAS FOUND BROKEN. SAMPLES OF THE SEAT BELT CABLES WERE TESTED ONE OF 3 SAMPLES FAILED AT 1570 LBS (THE OTHER 2 SAMPLES TESTED TO 2126 & 2174 LBS). CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE WEAKER SAMPLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9103J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9103J-1993-05-27), registration cancelled 1993-05-27, S/N 283145 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3145
- Airframe hours: 2834
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Departed: PYM, PLYMOUTH, MA
- Destination: PYM, PLYMOUTH, MA
- Airport: PYM, Plymouth Municipal, runway 6, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,338 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 5,167 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 113 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PYM

## 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 19821119059299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821119059299A), Nov 19, 1982: Piper PA28180, Plymouth, MA, Destroyed. Engine quit on takeoff. Struck trees on turnback to runway. Airplane sat out for six months. Two thirds water in fuel

## Other investigations on N9103J (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC67D0361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67D0361), Oct 21, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N9103J), Ithaca, NY, substantial damage

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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