# NTSB NYC85LA169: Piper PA-28-140, N5602U, Cherry Valley, NY, July 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1985, 20:00 local (Jul 12, 1985, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Cherry Valley, NY
- Coordinates: 42.789356, -74.749153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7894&lon=-74.7492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35907/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA169

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - lubricating system,oil hose - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil hose - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inaccurate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURNG A CLIMB TO CRUISE, THEENGINE RPM DROPPED TO 2000. THE PILOT CHECK THE CARBURETOR HEAT AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS AND DID NOT FIND ANY ABNORMALITIES. THE ENGINE RPM DROPPED A SECOND TIME TO 1800 A SOUND DESCRIBED BY THE PILOT AS A LOUD BAND WAS HEARD AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VEBRATE. THE PILOT SHUT DOWN THE EGIE AND ATTEMPTED THE GLIDE TO SOUTH DAYTON AIRPORT. THE PILOT DECIDED THE AIRPORT COULD NOT BE REACHED AND CHOSE TO LAND IN A NEARBY FIELD. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH TO THE FIELD, THE PILOT NOTICED THE FIELD SLOPED UPWARD. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLARE, HOWEVER LANDED HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5602U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5602U-1990-02-15), registration cancelled 1990-02-15, S/N 2826331 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26331
- Airframe hours: 1740
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hycner Harry J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1985, 9 hours before
- Departed: D22, ANGOLA, NY
- Destination: D22, ANGOLA, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 196 total, 196 in this make and model, 105 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JHW

## 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 19850711033989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850711033989A), Jul 11, 1985: Piper PA28140, Cherry Valley, NY, Substantial damage. Engine began to vibrate after loud bang. Forced hard landing into sloping field. Oil radiator hose had failed.

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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