# NTSB NYC84LA317: Piper PA-28-140, N33396, Medford, NJ, September 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1984, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Medford, NJ
- Location: 39.9009° N, 74.8235° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Medford, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9009&lon=-74.8235&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35769
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35769/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA317

## 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)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING ENGINE RUN-UP, RIGHT MAGNETO HAD EXCESSIVE RPM DROP. PLT LEANED MIXTURE FOR BURN-OUT AND INAVVERTENTLY SHUT DOWN ENGINE. AFTER RESTART, PLT RAN ENGINE WITH LEAN MIXTURE; SUBSEQUENT MAGNETO CHECK WAS WITHIN LIMITS. AT 300 FT AGL ON INITIAL CLIMB, ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. PLT DETERMINED SAFE FLIGHT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED, SHUT DOWN ENGINE AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING. GEAR COLLAPSED ON ROUGH TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE REASON FOR POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N33396 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7525183
- Airframe hours: 1697
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Mcclain
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 11, 1984, 93 hours before
- Airport: 7J5, Flying W, runway 1, 3,495 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 366 total, 15 in this make and model, 217 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19840919049709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840919049709A), Sep 19, 1984: Piper PA28140, Medford, NJ, Substantial damage. Engine ran rough, lost partial power after takeoff. Emergency landing in rough field.

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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