# NTSB NYC84FNE03: Piper J4A, N33290, Gardner, MA, July 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1984, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Gardner, MA
- Location: 42.5499° N, 72.0160° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GARDNER MUNI (GDM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5499&lon=-72.0160&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FNE03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FNE03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING CLIMBOUT, PLT NOTED SLIGHT PWR LOSS, APPLIED CARB HEAT & ENG REGAINED PWR. ON REMOVAL OF CARB HEAT, PWR LOSS (APRX 200 RPM) AGAIN OCCURRED. APPLICATION OF CARB HEAT AGAIN RESORTED PWR BUT PLT ELECTED TO TURN BACK TO FIELD AND LAND. DURING TURN, PLT BELIEVES A WIND GUST CAUSED THE LEFT WING TO DROP. PLT STATED TO WITNESS HE HAD FULL BACK STICK AND FULL AILERON CONTROL INPUTS BUT ACFT DID NOT RECOVER FROM LEFT WING DOWN, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. TEMP 85 DEGS, DEW POINT 65 DEGS, DENSITY ALT 3,000 FT. AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS BEING USED. ACFT WAS NEAR GROSS WEIGHT. ALT AT PWR LOSS WAS 200 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33290](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33290-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 4-1362, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J4A
- Registry model: [Piper J4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j4a) (registry code 7100604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 41362
- Airframe hours: 6
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steven R. Barrieau
- Registered owner: Steven R. Barrieau
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: ORE, ORANGE, MA
- Airport: GDM, Gardner

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 66 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °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 19840714032269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840714032269A), Jul 14, 1984: Piper J4A, Gardner, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot claims a loss of power during initial climb. Aircraft stalled and crashed when he attempted to turn back.

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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