# NTSB NYC84LA255: Piper PA-22-135, N3777A, Canton, PA, July 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1984, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Canton, PA
- Coordinates: 41.649394, -76.849464 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6494&lon=-76.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA255

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT PERFORMED A RUNUP PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. HE USED ONE NOTCH OF FLAPS AND APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET OF RUNWAY TO BREAK GROUND. DURING THE CLIMBOUT AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FT THE ENGINE 'STARTED SKIPPING THEN QUIT.' THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTORE POWER BEFORE A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD. EXAMINATION OF ACFT REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SET ON THE RIGHT TANK. THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND TO BE EMPTY, THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS APPROXIMATELY HALF FULL. THE CARBURETOR BOWL WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3777A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3777A-2009-08-14), registration cancelled 2009-08-14, S/N 22-2019, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-135
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-2019
- Airframe hours: 1950
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-C1A 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence J. Dewert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1983, 152 hours before
- Departed: CANTON, PA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Larry'S

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 246 total, 246 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 90 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19840726034869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840726034869A), Jul 26, 1984: Piper PA22135, Canton, PA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff climb. Crash landed off end of runway. Fuel selector on empty tank. Fuel in other tank.

## Other investigations on N3777A (2)

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 NYC83LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA124), May 23, 1983: Piper PA-22 (N3777A), Olean, NY, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC66D0521](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66D0521), Feb 10, 1966: Piper PA-22 (N3777A), Olean, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.