# NTSB NYC88LA068: Piper PA-28, N663FL, Mendon, MA, January 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1988, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Mendon, MA
- Location: 42.1057° N, 71.5523° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mendon, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1057&lon=-71.5523&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA068

## Probable cause

OFF AIRPORT LANDING DUE TO ENGINE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF WAS BEING MADE DUE TO THE NEAR GROSS WEIGHT OF THE ACFT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 1,100 FT, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION AND THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. ALL ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN POWER WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER COMPLETING A 180 DEG TURN TOWARD THE AIRPORT, POWER WAS COMPLETELY LOST. INSUFFICIENT ALT REMAINED TO LAND SAFELY ON THE RUNWAY. THE ACFT WAS STALLED INTO TREES AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ENG AND ACFT FAILED TO REVEAL THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N663FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N663FL-1991-04-10), registration cancelled 1991-04-10, S/N 287125583 (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: 28-1725583
- Airframe hours: 2769
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Sarmanian, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1B6, HOPEDALE, MA
- Destination: AIY, BADER FIELD, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 328 total, 296 in this make and model, 278 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °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 19880123001209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880123001209A), Jan 23, 1988: Piper PA28140, Hopedale, MA, Destroyed. Reported engine failed after takeoff. Was over open field but unable to maneuver, stalled in 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.

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