# NTSB NYC88LA231: Piper PA-28-161, N9087D, Mansfield, MA, September 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1988, 21:15 local (Sep 1, 1988, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Mansfield, MA
- Location: 42.0334° N, 71.2189° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mansfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0334&lon=-71.2189&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA231

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT, WITH A CFI AND STUDENT ON BOARD, HAD JUST MADE A TOUCH AND GO LANDING AND WAS ABOUT ONE MILE FM THE ARPT, CLIMBING TO CRUISE, WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. IT WAS DARK AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON A STATE HIGHWAY. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TRAFFIC ISLAND ON THE ROADWAY AND CAME TO REST IN THE FRONT YARD OF A RESIDENCE. AN FAA INSPECTOR WHO EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE SAID THE LEFT TANK WAS 1/4 TO 1/2 FULL OF FUEL, THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY, AND THE GASCOLATOR BOWL CONTAINED ABOUT 3 OZ OF FUEL. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION BUT THE PLT TOLD THE INSPECTOR THAT HE TURNED SELECTOR OFF AFTER THE ACDT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9087D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9087D), registered now, S/N 2816001, built 1986 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2816001
- Airframe hours: 892
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Piper East, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 3, 1988, 73 hours before
- Departed: 1B9
- Destination: OWD, NORWOOD, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,152 total, 500 in this make and model, 86 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- 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 19880831038359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880831038359A), Aug 31, 1988: Piper PA28161, Mansfield, MA, Substantial damage. Indicates engine quit on climbout on an empty tank. Fuel in other. Landing on a highway, struck signs.

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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