# NTSB NYC84LA018: Piper PA-28-181, N39955, Prospectville, PA, November 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1983, 19:00 local (Nov 1, 1983, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Prospectville, PA
- Location: 40.2118° N, 75.1857° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Prospectville, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2118&lon=-75.1857&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA018

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,partial
  - landing gear,nose gear - failure,partial
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AS HE TURNED FINAL HE WAS TOO HIGH AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE RWY SO HE SLIPPED THE ACFT TO THE LEFT TO LINE UP. THE LEFT FUEL TANK, WHICH HE WAS USING WAS VERY LOW ON FUEL. THE APRCH WAS TOO HIGH SO HE DECIDED TO GO AROUND. AS THE ACFT WAS PULLED UP, THE ENGINE WAS STARVED OF FUEL AND QUIT. HE ATTEMPTED A RESTART BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE ACFT LANDED IN A CORN FIELD, COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND BENT THE NOSE GEAR AND DAMAGED THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39955](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39955-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 28-7990022, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 79-90022
- Airframe hours: 400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Warren Knight Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1982, 55 hours before
- Departed: DAYTON, OH
- Airport: N34, Turner Field, runway 32, 2,150 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 515 total, 385 in this make and model, 426 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19831031057769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831031057769A), Oct 31, 1983: Piper PA28181, Prospectville, PA, Substantial damage. Too high on final. Began a go around. Engine quit due to fuel starvation. Fuel selector was on an empty tank.

## Other investigations on N39955 (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 CHI95LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA068), Jan 16, 1995: Piper PA-28-181 (N39955), Brookfield, WI, destroyed. Probable cause: The instructor's failure to maintain clearance with trees. Factors associated with the accident were the trees and the night lighting conditions.

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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