# NTSB NYC85LA173: Piper PA-28-180, N6317J, Lakewood, NJ, August 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1985, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Lakewood, NJ
- Location: 40.0940° N, 74.2115° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lakewood, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0940&lon=-74.2115&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35911
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35911/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA173

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE RETURNING TO LAKEWOOD AIRPORT,, POWER WAS LOST SUDDENLY. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN A STAND OF PINE AND OAK TREES INSTEAD OF LANDING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE PILOT DECIDED THAT THE DISTANCE WAS TOO GREAT FOR A GLIDE TO THE AIRPORT. A POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY CONDITIONS THAT WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6317J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6317J-1993-09-10), registration cancelled 1993-09-10, S/N 284724 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4724
- Airframe hours: 22929
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Polhemus, Wallace A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 19, 1985, 60 hours before
- Departed: N12, LAKEWOOD, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 810 total, 810 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEL

## 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 19850811071389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850811071389A), Aug 11, 1985: Piper PA28180, Lakewood, NJ, Substantial damage. Sudden power loss during low altitude cruise. Landed in trees. Undetermined cause of power loss.

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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