# NTSB NYC84LA223: Piper PA-28-140, N40921, Marlboro, NJ, June 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1984, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Marlboro, NJ
- Location: 39.4871° N, 75.3246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marlboro, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4871&lon=-75.3246&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35695
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35695/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA223

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - deteriorated (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

ON INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, PLT NOTED A LOSS OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE, EXECUTED STEEP 180 DEGREE TURN TO AVOID HIGH VOLTAGE LINES ON RISING TERRAIN AHEAD. THIS MANEUVER, COUPLED WITH REDUCED POWER RESULTED IN AN AIRSPEED DECREASE TO NEAR STALL SPEED. PLT LOWERED THE NOSE TO PREVENT STALL, COLLIDED WITH TREE TOPS AND LOST FLYING SPEED. PLT MANAGED TO KEEP ACFT UPRIGHT DURING ENSUING MUSH INTO OPEN FIELD BUT GEAR COLLAPSED ON TOUCHDOWN DUE TO HIGH DESCENT RATE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED INNER FLAME TUBE IN MUFFLER HAD DISLODGED, PARTIALLY BLOCKING EXHAUST OUTLET AND RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE ENGINE BACK PRESSURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40921](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40921-2002-08-29), registration cancelled 2002-08-29, S/N 28-7425188, built 1973 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425188
- Airframe hours: 1835
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Johnson Tv & Electronics
- Registered owner: Photographic Consultants, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1983, 10 hours before
- Departed: MARLBORO, NJ
- Airport: 2N8, Marlboro, runway 27, 2,170 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 363 total, 301 in this make and model, 269 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840625027139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840625027139A), Jun 25, 1984: Piper PA28140, Marlboro, NJ, Substantial damage. Hit trees, then ground after partial power loss. Muffler inner flame tube loose, blocked outlet magneto timing off.

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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