# NTSB NYC87LA268: Piper PA-28, N302RB, Plymouth, VT, September 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1987, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, VT
- Location: 43.5359° N, 72.7215° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plymouth, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5359&lon=-72.7215&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30742/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA268

## 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
  - accessory drive assy - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT ABOUT 5500', THE ENG LOST POWER & THE PROP CONTD TO WINDMILL, BUT THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE LANDED THE ACFT IN A ROUGH FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PROP DUG INTO A MOUND OF DIRT & THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER, A BOLT HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED TO SECURE A CRANKSHAFT GEAR DURING OVERHAUL IN 1984.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N302RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N302RB-1989-05-18), registration cancelled 1989-05-18, S/N 2823521 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23521
- Airframe hours: 2240
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen J. Mason
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1987, 2 hours before
- Departed: BASIN HARBOR, VT
- Destination: NASHUA, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 245 total, 100 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870927056379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870927056379A), Sep 27, 1987: Piper PA28140, Plymouth, VT, Substantial damage. Reported engine out. Made mayday call. Nosed over landing in a rough field. No engine defects found. Cause unknown.

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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