# NTSB NYC91LA229: Piper PA-28-140, N6183J, Somerville, NJ, September 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1991, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Somerville, NJ
- Location: 40.5697° N, 74.6077° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Somerville, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5697&lon=-74.6077&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA229

## Probable cause

AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS DUE TO OIL EXHAUSTION.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OPERATORS DECISION NOT TO FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PIPER CHEROKEE SERVICE MANUAL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil line - ruptured (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - loss,total (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, check pilot

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT APPLICANT WAS ON HER CHECKRIDE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST OIL PRESSURE.  THE CHECK AIRMAN TOOK CONTROL AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD, THE MOST SUITABLE LANDING AREA AVAILABLE.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE ENGINE OIL LINE WITH 1949 HOURS ON IT HAD RUPTURED.  EXAMINATION OF THE PIPER SERVICE MANUAL SHOW A RECOMMENDATION TO CHANGE THE OIL LINES AT 1000 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6183J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6183J-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 28-7625228, built 1976 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7625228
- Airframe hours: 7602
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Somerset Air Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Somerset Air Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 1991, 16 hours before
- Departed: N52, SOMERSET, NJ
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 127 total, 127 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °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 19910905038429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910905038429A), Sep 5, 1991: Piper PA28140, Somerville, NJ, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure during private pilot checkride. Examiner took over on forced landing. Oil cooler oil line broken

## Other investigations on N6183J (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC03LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA195), Sep 5, 2003: Piper PA-28-140 (N6183J), Somerville, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delay in executing a go-around, which resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence from a helicopter. A factor in the accident was the wake turbulence.

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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