# NTSB NYC92LA145: John K. Groff JR. Q-2, N87JG, Caldwell, NJ, August 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1992, 12:09 local (16:09 UTC)
- Place: Caldwell, NJ
- Location: 40.8752° N, 74.2814° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ESSEX COUNTY (CDW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8752&lon=-74.2814&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37194/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA145

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MONITOR HIS FUEL SUPPLY WHICH RESULTED IN THE POWER LOSS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FAILED TO ACTIVATE THE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP AFTER TAKEOFF AND UPON ARRIVAL AT HIS DESTINATION, HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL STARVATION DURING A GO-AROUND.  THE AIRPLANE USES A 5 GALLON HEADER TANK TO GRAVITY FEED THE ENGINE.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE AIRPLANE USES 5 GALLONS OF FUEL BETWEEN MT. HOLLY, NEW JERSEY, AND CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY. ON SCENE EXAMINATION BY THE FAA FOUND THE MAIN AND AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS RUPTURED, AND THE HEADER FUEL TANK EMPTY AND NOT RUPTURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87JG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87JG-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 2627, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHN K. GROFF JR. Q-2
- Registry model: [Groff John K JR Q-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/groff-john-k-jr-q-2) (registry code 05645ZT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2627
- Airframe hours: 294
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John K. Groff Jr
- Registered owner: John K. Groff Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: 7MY, MOUNT HOLLY, NJ
- Airport: CDW, Essex County, runway 22, 4,553 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 410 total, 294 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDW, 1 nm away

## 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 19920806029529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920806029529A), Aug 6, 1992: Amtrqk QUICKIE2, Caldwell, NJ, Destroyed. Began go around due traffic. Stall mushed into trees. Fuel header tank empty. Had failed to turn on header pump.

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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