# NTSB NYC91LA013: Porterfield Porterfield FP65, N37859, Moravia, NY, October 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1990, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Moravia, NY
- Coordinates: 42.710105, -76.420402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7101&lon=-76.4204&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 November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA013

## Probable cause

POWER LOSS AFTER TAKEOFF DUE TO A PARTIALLY CLOGGED FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE GASCOLATOR. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN UNDER THE AIRPLANE WHEN POWER LOSS OCCURRED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, pilot in command
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - intentional (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER ON TAKEOFF. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING AND WAS UNABLE TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH TREES. THE POWER LOSS WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A PARTIALLY CLOGGED FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE GASCOLATOR. THE FAA REPORTED THE TERRAIN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY WAS UNSUITABLE FOR A FORCED LANDING. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION ON THE AIRPLANE WAS CONDUCTED 14 MONTHS AGO. THE LAST FLIGHT REVIEW FOR THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTED 25 MONTHS AGO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37859](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37859-2018-03-01), registration cancelled 2018-03-01, S/N 1006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PORTERFIELD PORTERFIELD FP65 (PORTERFIEL)
- Registry model: [Porterfield FP-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/porterfield-fp-65) (registry code 6480122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 4AC176B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-4ac176b-series) (registry code 27006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1006
- Engines: FRANKLIN 4AC176B2 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Nash
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1989
- Destination: NY36

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: rear; flight hours: 809 total, 799 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19901016046229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901016046229A), Oct 16, 1990: Norwst FP65PORTFLD, Moravia, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Crashed into trees. Fuel line from gasculator was plugged. Allowed engine idle only.

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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