# NTSB NYC92LA107: Piper PA-32R-300, N4552X, Denton, MD, June 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1992, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Denton, MD
- Coordinates: 38.879245, -75.819869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8792&lon=-75.8199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA107

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DETECT THE AUTOMOBILE GASOLINE IN THE TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, AND INTENTIONAL REFUELING WITH IMPROPER FUEL BY THE PILOT'S BROTHER WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSE OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO DETONATION AND LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - procedures/directives - not followed, other person (contributing factor)
  - refueling - improper, other person (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - failure,partial (cause)
  - fluid,oil - pressure too low (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS ASSOCIATED WITH A LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE, AND MADE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD. DURING GROUND ROLLOUT, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH NOT VISIBLE FROM THE AIR AND RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THREE PISTONS HAD EXPERIENCED THE EFFECTS OF DETONATION.  WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT INITIALLY TOLD THE SAFETY BOARD HE WAS USING 100LL AV GAS; HOWEVER, HE LATER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HIS BROTHER HAD FUELED THE AIRPLANE WITH AUTOMOBILE GASOLINE ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, HE SAID HE DID NOT DETECT THE AUTOMOBILE GASOLINE DURING THE PREFLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4552X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4552X), registered now, S/N 32R-7680027, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7680027
- Airframe hours: 3536
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIA5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Wozniak
- Registered owner: Robert F/Rita J. Wozniak
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: N80, OCEAN CITY, MD
- Destination: W48, BALTIMORE, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 511 total, 76 in this make and model, 456 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19920610019459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920610019459A), Jun 10, 1992: Piper PA32R300, Denton, MD, Substantial damage. Lost oil and power. Landed wheat field, hit a unseen ditch. 3 pistons detonation damage. Had used auto fuel. No STC.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.