# NTSB NYC93LA123: Piper PA-28-140, N1698J, Louisville, KY, June 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1993, 10:43 local (14:43 UTC)
- Place: Louisville, KY
- Coordinates: 38.219383, -85.679695 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2194&lon=-85.6797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA123

## Probable cause

A PARTIAL POWER LOSS OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN WHILE OPERATING OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD CONDUCTED 4 TOUCH AND GO'S SUCCESSFULLY.  ON THE 5TH TAKEOFF, AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS AIRBORNE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH. THE PILOT SWITCHED TANKS AND PUMPED THE THROTTLE; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A WOODED AREA.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE ENGINE WHICH HAD BEEN OPERATING ON AUTO GAS FOR THE PREVIOUS 200 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1698J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1698J-1997-10-14), registration cancelled 1997-10-14, S/N 2824104 (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: 28-24104
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gustav K. Meckle
- Registered owner: Nicholas K. Houser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1993
- Departed: LOU
- Destination: LOU
- Airport: LOU, Bowman Field, runway 24, 4,312 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 230 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU, 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 19930620019599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930620019599A), Jun 20, 1993: Piper PA28140, Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout from touch and go. Landed in tree. Suspect plastic carb float breakdown. Auto fuel.

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.