# NTSB NYC89LA044: Piper PA-34-200, N16502, Laconia, NH, December 7, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1988, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Laconia, NH
- Location: 43.5765° N, 71.4823° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Laconia, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5765&lon=-71.4823&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA044

## Probable cause

AIRCRAFT STRIKING THE ROAD SIGN AFTER THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A DOUBLE POWER LOSS DUE TO MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system,battery - low level (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT MADE A TAKEOFF WITH KNOWN CONDITIONS OF A LOW BATTERY AND WITH 15 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK AND 30 GALLONS IN THE RIGHT TANK. WHILE CRUISING AT 7500 FEET HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS ON THE LEFT ENGINE. THE PILOT PERFORMED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND WAS UNABLE TO GET A RESTART. HE FEATHERED THE PROPELLER AND SET UP CROSSFEED. THE RIGHT ENGINE QUIT A FEW SECONDS LATER AND AGAIN THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GET IT RESTARTED AND IT T00 WAS FEATHERED. BOTH FUEL SELECTORS AT THIS TIME WERE ON CROSSFEED. THEY WERE RESET TO TANK-TO-ENGINE AND THE PILOT TRIED TO RESTART THE RIGHT ENGINE BUT WAS UNABLE DUE TO THE LOW BATTERY. AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE ON A ROADWAY. POST CRASH EXAMINATION SHOWED FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK AND NO FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK. THE PILOT HAD FAILED HIS MULTI ENGINE CHECKRIDE 2-1/2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND DID NOT PASS HIS CHECKRIDE UNTIL 2 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16502](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16502-1991-10-16), registration cancelled 1991-10-16, S/N 347350153 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7350135
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Herbert Hauser
- Registered owner: Herbert L Hauser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MPV, MONTPELIER, VT
- Destination: MHT, MANCHESTER, NH
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,150 total, 46 in this make and model, 1,120 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCI, 3 nm away

## 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 19881207053089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881207053089A), Dec 7, 1988: Piper PA34200, Laconia, NH, Substantial damage. Put both crossfeeds on after left tank dry, feathered both engines. Unable restart due low battery. Crashed on road

## Other investigations on N16502 (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 MKC74DTK17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DTK17), Jun 4, 1974: Piper PA-25 (N16502), Mobridge, SD, 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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