# NTSB NYC92LA048: Piper PA-28-140, N55685, Goshen, NY, December 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1991, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Goshen, NY
- Coordinates: 41.400005, -74.319068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4000&lon=-74.3191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37121/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA048

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTING FROM THE INGESTION OF A FOREIGN OBJECT INTO THE CARBURETOR AND THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN TREES.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE AIRPLANE BY UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system,carburetor - foreign object (cause)
  - maintenance - performed, unqualified person (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - jammed (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT WERE PRACTICING TRAINING MANEUVERS WHEN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE FAA REVEALED THAT A PIECE OF RUBBER SEAL FROM THE LANDING LIGHT HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND JAMMED IN THE CARBURETOR.  THE SEAL HAD BEEN REPLACED BY AN UNQUALIFIED PERSON EMPLOYED BY THE FLIGHT SCHOOL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55685](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55685-1992-01-30), registration cancelled 1992-01-30, S/N 287325457 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7325457
- Airframe hours: 2781
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Century Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Century Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 7, 1991, 17 hours before
- Departed: MMU, MORRISTOWN, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,420 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,230 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 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 19911218056989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911218056989A), Dec 18, 1991: Piper PA28140, Goshen, NY, Substantial damage. Lost power. Stalled into trees on forced landing. Lineman had improperly installed nose light seal. Blocked intake

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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