# NTSB NYC89LA038: Piper PA-28-180, N4341T, Berlin, NJ, November 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1988, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, NJ
- Location: 39.7921° N, 74.9370° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Berlin, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7921&lon=-74.9370&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA038

## Probable cause

OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION IN THE SELECTED TANK WITH USEABLE FUEL IN THE OTHER TANK.

## 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
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. HE STRUCK POWER LINES ON SHORT FINAL AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, STRIKING A RAILROAD EMBANKMENT. A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WHO WAS ON SCENE APPROXIMATELY A MINUTE AFTER THE ACCIDENT SAID THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON AN EMPTY TANK AND USEABLE FUEL WAS IN THE OTHER TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4341T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4341T-1991-10-30), registration cancelled 1991-10-30, S/N 287105214 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7105214
- Airframe hours: 6544
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Diamond Carpet Marketers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Earl. R Mccart/Lewis R Mccart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 19N, BERLIN, NJ
- Airport: 19N, Camden Co., runway 5, 3,100 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 40 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19881123051839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881123051839A), Nov 23, 1988: Piper PA28180, Berlin, NJ, Substantial damage. Ran right tank dry on local flight. Failed to switch to other tank with fuel. Struck wires on final for runway.

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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