# NTSB NYC91LA029: Piper PA-32-301R, N8473H, Alton, NH, November 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1990, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Alton, NH
- Location: 43.4564° N, 71.2223° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alton, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4564&lon=-71.2223&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA029

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, TO LACONIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE THE AIRPLANE EXPEREINCED TOTAL POWER FAILURE. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT AS SOON AS THE PILOT DISCONNECTED THE AUTOPILOT, THE ENGINE FAILED. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE MADE BUT WERE FUTILE. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, ALTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT SHE AND THE PILOT CLIMBED OUT ON THE WING OF THE AIRPLANE AND MOMENTS LATER ATTEMPTED TO SWIM ASHORE. THE PASSENGER SAID WHEN SHE GOT TO THE SHORE SHE COULD NOT LOCATE THE PILOT. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND AND RECOVERED ONE WEEK LATER AND BROUGHT TO A HANGAR IN ALTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE, FOR EXAMINATION. THE PILOT WAS NOT FOUND. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THERE WAS APPROPRIATE FUEL ON BOARD AND THE FUEL WAS NOT CONTAMINATED. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY. NO ENGINE OR AIRFRAME ANOMALIES WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8473H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8473H-1995-08-10), registration cancelled 1995-08-10, S/N 32R8213015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8213015
- Airframe hours: 2195
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R Mccarter  J. Micholson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1989
- Departed: MHT, MANCHESTER, NH
- Destination: LCI, LACONIA, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWM, 65 nm away

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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