# NTSB NYC91FA230: Boeing PT-17, N3721C, Tranquility, NJ, September 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1991, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Tranquility, NJ
- Location: 40.9562° N, 74.8085° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tranquility, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9562&lon=-74.8085&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA230

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHILE MANEUVERING TO LAND, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.  THE LACK OF ALTITUDE FOR A RECOVERY FROM THE STALL WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT MADE A SHALLOW RIGHT TURN, APPARENTLY IN PREPARATION FOR A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD.  THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING AGAIN, AND THE PILOT INITIATED A LEFT TURN AS IF TO TURN BACK TOWARD THE RUNWAY.  DURING THE TURN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT AND CRASHED.  THE CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.  AT THE AIRPORT WHERE N3721C HAD BEEN PARKED, SEVERAL PILOTS REPORTED INSECTS NESTS IN FUEL VENTS, CAUSING BLOCKAGE OF THESE OPENINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3721C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3721C-1991-10-28), registration cancelled 1991-10-28, S/N 753541 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING PT-17
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-3541
- Engines: WRIGHT W-670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John E. Snyder
- Registered owner: John E. Snyder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: 13N
- Airport: 13N, Trinca

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 358 total, 250 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 3.5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910907038619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910907038619A), Sep 7, 1991: Boeing PT17, Andover, NJ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine cut out on takeoff. Stalled and impacted near vertical off end 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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