# NTSB NYC89LA155: Piper PA-28-140, N5266T, Gasport, NY, July 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1989, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Gasport, NY
- Coordinates: 43.160797, -78.690895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1608&lon=-78.6909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA155

## Probable cause

FUEL CONTAMINATION (WATER) AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE PERFORMED A PREFLIGHT AND RUNUP BEFORE TAKEOFF. DURING CLIMB OUT AT ABOUT 450 FEET, THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING AND THE AIRCRAFT FLEW INTO TREES. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE CARBURETOR AND GASCOLATOR WERE MORE THAN HALF FULL OF WATER. THE FUEL PUMPS AND FILTERS AT THE AIRPORT WERE FOUND TO BE SATISFACTORY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5266T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5266T-1991-05-03), registration cancelled 1991-05-03, S/N 287225381 (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: 28-7225381
- Airframe hours: 2230
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Armand L. Padula
- Registered owner: Armand L Padula
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1988, 40 hours before
- Destination: W18, LAUREL, MD
- Airport: 9G5, Royalton, runway 25, 2,530 × 35 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 776 total, 566 in this make and model, 699 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890702018999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890702018999A), Jul 2, 1989: Piper PA28140, Gasport, NY, Destroyed. Engine failed on takeoff climb. Landed in trees in residential area. Large amounts of water in fuel.

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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