# NTSB NYC85LA234: Piper PA-32-260, N42722, East Swanzey, NH, September 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1985, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: East Swanzey, NH
- Location: 42.8407° N, 72.2777° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from DILLANT/HOPKINS (EEN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8407&lon=-72.2777&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA234

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - lubricating system,oil hose - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - poor, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS PREFLIGHTED & DETERMINED TO HAVE 10 QTS OF OIL IN THE ENG. WHILE CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 1000 FT MSL AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PROPELLER RPM BEGAN RISING TO THE REDLINE. THE PLT REDUCED POWER & PROCEEDED TO MAKE AN EMERG LANDING. DURING A TURN TOWARD THE ARPT, THE ENG STOPPED OPERATING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD ABOUT 4 MI FROM THE ARPT. A POST CRASH EXAM DISCLOSED A RUPTURED OIL HOSE, PN 63901-26, THAT LED FROM THE OIL PUMP TO THE OIL COOLER. THE HOSE HAD A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF 8 YRS & HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED IN 1974. NO RECORD WAS FOUND TO INDICATE THE HOSE HAD BEEN REPLACED SINCE ITS ORIGINAL INSTALLATION ON THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42722](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42722), registered now, S/N 0003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Harrigill Richard HAGS RAG III](https://openairdocs.org/model/harrigill-richard-hags-rag-iii) (registry code 9570895) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21-7400039
- Airframe hours: 2308
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jared J. Welsh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1985, 9 hours before
- Departed: EEN, KEENE, NH
- Destination: BAF, WESTFIELD, MA
- Airport: EEN, Dillant-Hopkins, runway 20, 6,502 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,535 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850912044709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850912044709A), Sep 12, 1985: Piper PA32260, Keene, NH, Destroyed. Engine failed during takeoff climb. Aeroquip oil line ruptured. Line should have been replaced 2 years previous.

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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