# NTSB NYC88LA192: Piper PA-28-140, N33743, Smoketown, PA, July 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1988, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Smoketown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.039947, -76.199493 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0399&lon=-76.1995&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 January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA192

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG LOST POWER AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A CORN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.THE WRECKAGE WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND WATER WAS DISCOVERED IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE GASCOLATOR WAS FULL OF WATER AND THE LEFT FUEL TANK, WHICH WAS THE TANK SELECTED, CONTAINED 12 OZ OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33743](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33743-1989-07-13), registration cancelled 1989-07-13, S/N 287525232 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7525232
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael L. Kuhn
- Registered owner: Kuhn, Michael L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 37PA
- Destination: 37PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 110 total

## 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 19880724027689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880724027689A), Jul 24, 1988: Piper PA28140, Smoketown, PA, Substantial damage. Engine failed on takeoff. Landed in a cornfield and nosed over. Large quanities of water found in fuel.

## Other investigations on N33743 (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC81FGT05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FGT05), Jun 10, 1981: Piper PA-28 (N33743), Annville, PA, substantial damage

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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