# NTSB NYC88LA084: Piper PA-12, N7817H, Hammondsport, NY, October 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1987, 09:37 local (13:37 UTC)
- Place: Hammondsport, NY
- Coordinates: 42.400588, -77.220222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4006&lon=-77.2202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36098
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36098/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA084

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause)
  - fuel system - overtemperature (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, unknown (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PIPER PA-12 EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A CORN FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MALFUNCTIONS OR MECHANICAL FAILURES. AUTO FUEL WAS BEING USED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. AN FAA STUDY PREDICTS THAT VAPOR LOCK IS MOSTAPT TO OCCUR IN A HOT ENGINE, UNDER HIGH FUEL FLOWS, LOW COOLING AIR FLOW, AND WHEN THE REID VAPOR PRESSURE IS HIGHER THAN 7 PSI (AUTO FUEL IN WINTER IS TYPICALLY 15 PSI).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7817H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7817H), registered now, S/N 12-713, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-713
- Airframe hours: 47
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Seth Carlton Myers
- Registered owner: Seth Carlton Myers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, invalid medical for flight; seat: front; flight hours: 710 total, 710 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- 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 19871017078769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871017078769A), Oct 17, 1987: Piper PA12, Hammondsport, NY, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout. Crashed into a cornfield.

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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