# NTSB NYC86LA028: Piper PA-32-300, N4007W, New York, NY, November 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1985, 19:55 local (Nov 2, 1985, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: New York, NY
- Location: 40.7143° N, 74.0060° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New York, NY, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7143&lon=-74.0060&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30260/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - lubricating system - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankcase - cracked (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fluid,oil - loss,partial (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,crankcase - cracked (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels down landing in water - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO PROVIDE THE STUDENT WITH NIGHT FLYING INSTRUCTION. THE PREFLIGHT AND RUN UP REVELAED NO DISCREPANCIES AND 10 QUARTS OF OIL WERE DETERMINED TO BE IN THE ENGINE. THE AIRCRAFT PROCEEDED SOUTH ALONG THE HUDSON RIVER UNTIL ABOUT 2 MILES SOUTH OF LIBERTY STATE PARK WHERE  A LEFT TURN WAS ENTERED IN ORDER TO OBSERVE A FIREWORKS DISPLAY. AN ENGINE SURGE WAS EXPERIENCED DUE TO THE PROPELLER PITCH DECREASING AND THE PILOT NOTICED AN ODOR ASSOCIATED WITH A HOT ENGINE. THE PILOT NOTICED THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE READING OF ZERO AND CONTACTED NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO ADVISE THEM OF THE EMERGENCY. DURING THE FLIGHT TO NEWARK, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND PARALLEL TO THE SOUTHERN SHORE OF LIBERTY PARK IN THE WATER. AFTER THE DITCHING, THE COAST GUARD RESCUED THE TWO OCCUPANTS WHO HAD EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND WERE STANDING ON THE WINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4007W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-40008
- Airframe hours: 3181
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott Dickerson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 1985, 17 hours before
- Departed: MMU, MORRISTOWN, NJ
- Airport: 07

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,756 total, 11 in this make and model, 3,489 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWR, 7 nm away

## 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 19851101057219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851101057219A), Nov 1, 1985: Piper PA32300, New York, NY, Substantial damage. Oil filter housing center stud failed. Oil was lost. Engine seized. Ditched into bay 30 yards south of liberty isle

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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