# NTSB NYC87LA131: Piper PA-28-180, N7684J, Dansville, NY, July 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1987, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Dansville, NY
- Coordinates: 42.559703, -77.690711 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5597&lon=-77.6907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA131

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABOUT 5 MIN AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, THEN LOST POWER & WOULD NOT RESTART. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DRG AN EMERG LNDG IN A POTATO FIELD. THE ACFT WAS MOVED BEFORE AVIATION INSPECTORS ARRIVED. NO FUEL WAS FND IN THE FUEL PUMPS, INJECTORS, FUEL STRAINER OR LINES TO THE ENG; HOWEVER, SUFFICIENT FUEL WAS RPRTD TO BE REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS. THE PLT HAD WASHED THE ACFT JUST PRIOR TO THE FLT. HE SUGGESTED THE POWER LOSS MAY HAVE BEEN FROM MOISTURE OR CLOGGED FUEL VENTS. NO REASON WAS FND FOR A FUEL SYS CAVITATION AND/OR LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7684J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7684J-1993-07-23), registration cancelled 1993-07-23, S/N 28R31085 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-31085
- Airframe hours: 1759
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Otto Goodwin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1986, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 435 total, 350 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19870716043849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870716043849A), Jul 16, 1987: Piper PA28R180, Dansville, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Undershot a chosen open field. Fuel system had cavitated. Possibly a clogged fuel vent.

## Other investigations on N7684J (2)

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.

- [NTSB ATL93FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA026), Nov 20, 1992: Piper PA-28R-180 (N7684J), Blairsville, GA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH HIGH TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE HIGH WIND AND RAIN.
- [NTSB MKC70F0042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC70F0042), May 15, 1969: Piper PA-28R (N7684J), Olathe, KS, substantial damage

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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