# NTSB NYC88LA047: Piper PA-28-180, N9714J, E.Harwich Port, MA, November 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1987, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: E.Harwich Port, MA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - mixture - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED CHATHAM AIRPORT FOR A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND WHILE TURNING LEFT IN THE PATTERN, THE ENGINE SUFFERED A POWER LOSS. THE PILOT PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING AND TRANSMITTED A 'MAY DAY'. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. THE FAA REPORTED THAT THE PILOT PULLED THE MIXTURE CONTROL INSTEAD OF THE CARB HEAT CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9714J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9714J-1988-06-07), registration cancelled 1988-06-07, S/N 283905 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-3905
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cape Cod Aero Marine
- Registered owner: Cape Cod Aero Marine
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Chatham Municipal, runway 6, 3,000 × 100 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 355 total, 237 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19871128068749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871128068749A), Nov 28, 1987: Piper PA28180, Harwich, MA, Destroyed. Pilot reported engine quit on leaving the airport. Crashed into trees.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.