# NTSB NYC89LA148: Piper PA-28-140, N9953W, Dillsburg, PA, June 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1989, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Dillsburg, PA
- Coordinates: 40.109565, -77.02993 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1096&lon=-77.0299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA148

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE STOPPAGE CAUSED BY THE LACK OF ENGINE LUBRICANT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent
  - powerplant - seized (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING HIS DESCENT INTO NEW CUMBERLAND AIRPORT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND COMPLETE STOPPAGE. HE WAS FORCED TO LAND OFF THE AIRPORT IN A CORN FIELD. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE, THE ENGINE OIL WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE CRANKCASE VENT TUBE DUE TO A COMPRESSION LEAK INTO THE CRANKCASE. THE LOCATION OF THE COMPRESSION LEAK WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9953W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9953W-1995-05-12), registration cancelled 1995-05-12, S/N 2823499 (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: 28-23499
- Airframe hours: 1729
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas H. Duffy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1989, 129 hours before
- Departed: W09, LEESBURG, VA
- Destination: CXY, NEW CUMBERLAND, PA
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 145 total, 50 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19890613015509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890613015509A), Jun 13, 1989: Piper PA28140, Dillsburg, PA, Substantial damage. Lost power and engine seized. Crashed on force landing. Pilot reported compression leak forced oil out breather.

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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