# NTSB NYC87LA221: Piper PA-28-161, N8363H, N. Andover, MA, August 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1987, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: N. Andover, MA
- Location: 42.7170° N, 71.1235° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAWRENCE MUNI (LWM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7170&lon=-71.1235&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA221

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - seized (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - disintegrated (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TOOK CONTROL AND DUE TO THE LACK OF ALTITUDE DECIDED TO LAND THE ACFT STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED ON THE GRASS BESIDE THE RUNWAY. TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A STUCK VALVE. THE VALVE HAD BEEN STRUCK BY THE PISTON AND HAD BROKEN INTO SEVERAL PIECES WHICH ENTERED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8363H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8363H), registered now, S/N 28-8116188, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116188
- Airframe hours: 3510
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phoenix East Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1986, 90 hours before
- Departed: LWM, LAWRENCE, MA
- Airport: LWM, Lawrence Mem., runway 32, 3,900 × 100 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; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 805 total, 99 in this make and model, 590 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- 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 19870804081779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870804081779A), Aug 4, 1987: Piper PA28161, Lawrence, MA, Substantial damage. Power loss on climbout. Returned to airport. Left wing tip dragged ground while landing on grass beside runway.

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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