# NTSB NYC83FA235: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N9LH, Andover, NJ, September 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1983, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Andover, NJ
- Location: 40.9857° N, 74.7437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Andover, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9857&lon=-74.7437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35076
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35076/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA235

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - weather condition - turbulence
  - fluid,fuel - overtemperature
  - fuel system - pressure too low
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 7000 FT ON A HOT DAY, THE ENG ABRUPTLY LOST POWER. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO RESTART THE ENG, BUT TO NO AVAIL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART, THE PLT NOTED THAT THE FUEL FLOW INDICATION WAS AT OR NEAR ZERO & THE BOOST PUMP HAD NO EFFECT ON THE READING. ALL OTHER ENG READINGS APPEARED NORMAL & THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE VARIED WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION WHILE THE PROP WAS WINDMILLING. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD ON ROLLING TERRAIN, BUT THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH TALL CORN AT THE END OF THE FIELD. AFTER STOPPING THE PLT TURNED THE FUEL SELECTOR OFF. BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE NEARLY FULL, BUT NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR OR ENG FUEL LINES. WHEN CHECKED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, FUEL WAS FREE TO FLOW FROM THE TANKS TO THE ENG. THREE 90 DEG BENDS WERE NOTED IN THE FUEL LINE BTN THE GASCOLATOR & ELEC BOOST PUMP. THE ACFT HAD BEEN SETTING IN HI TEMPS BFR TKOF. TURBC ENCTRD DRG CLB. POM RCMDS LOW AUX FUEL PRES FOR VAPOR SUPPRESSION. COND CONDUCIVE TO VAPOR LOCK

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9LH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-8031023
- Airframe hours: 1184
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Devon Industries
- Registered owner: J. Lynn Helms
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1983, 31 hours before
- Departed: N43, EASTON, PA
- Destination: 3B4, ELIOT, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,440 total, 355 in this make and model, 7,036 as pilot in command, 211 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Observed at: ABE, 32 nm away

## 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 19830906050479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830906050479A), Sep 6, 1983: Piper PA28RT201T, Andover, NJ, Substantial damage. Lost power climb to cruise. No fuel pressure. Hit tall corn landing. Failed use low boost. Vapor lock. Hot day.

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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