# NTSB NYC88LA073: Piper PA-28-161, N2126J, Hammonton, NJ, February 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 5, 1988, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Hammonton, NJ
- Location: 39.6675° N, 74.7577° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HAMMONTON MUNI (N81), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6675&lon=-74.7577&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA073

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL NEAR THE END OF RWY 30. HE SAID THE ACFT STALLED AT TREETOP LEVEL, COLLIDED WITH TREES, AND CAME TO REST IN A NOSEDOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE INITIATED THE FLT WITH THE LEFT TANK 1/4 FULL AND THE RIGHT TANK 3/4 FULL. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES. THE ENGINE RAN SATISFACTORILY IN A TESTRUN ON THE ACFT, WITH AN EXTERNAL FUEL SOURCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2126J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2126J-1989-11-17), registration cancelled 1989-11-17, S/N 287916203 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916203
- Airframe hours: 3862
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Han Air Service,Inc.
- Registered owner: Han-Air Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1987, 22 hours before
- Destination: SUMMIT, DE
- Airport: N81, Hammonton, runway 21, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,652 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,608 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 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 19880205014479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880205014479A), Feb 5, 1988: Piper PA28161, Hammonton, NJ, Destroyed. Engine quit on takeoff climb. Landed straight ahead in trees. Suspect carburetor ice. Engine ran normal on check.

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.
