# NTSB NYC90LA042: Piper PA-18-135, N9975Q, No. Andover, MA, December 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1989, 12:24 local (17:24 UTC)
- Place: No. Andover, MA
- Location: 42.7170° N, 71.1235° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAWRENCE MUNI (LWM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7170&lon=-71.1235&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36591
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36591/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA042

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY TURNED OFF THE MAGNETO SWITCH DURING A GO-AROUND, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER. ALSO CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF A SECOND AIRPLANE TO RESPOND TO THE TOWER CONTROLLER'S INSTRUCTIONS. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN THIS MODEL AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - ignition system,magneto - switched off
  - powerplant controls - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - planned approach - not possible, pilot in command
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING THE FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT OF N9975Q WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE TOWER TO MAKE A GO-AROUND, BECAUSE ANOTHER AIRPLANE HAD FAILED TO RESPOND TO TOWER INSTRUCTIONS. THE PILOT SAID, 'I APPLIED FULL THROTTLE AND CLOSED THE CARB HEAT THEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT.' WHEN THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING, THE OTHER AIRPLANE WAS ON THE RUNWAY, STILL IGNORING TOWER INSTRUCTIONS. THE PILOT OF N9975Q BANKED LEFT AND LANDED IN SNOW COVERED GRASS, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND DURING THE POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION OF THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS SET IN THE OFF POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9975Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-135
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-4038
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D-2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George W. Joyner
- Departed: LWM, NO. ANDOVER, MA
- Airport: LWM, Lawrence Muni, runway 14, 3,901 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 149 total, 13 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 10 °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 19891227064729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891227064729A), Dec 27, 1989: Piper PA18135, Lawrence, MA, Substantial damage. Practice icing takeoffs and landings,controller instructed go around. Engine quit,landed in snow,flipped over.

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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