# NTSB NYC97LA149: Piper PA-25-235, N4497Y, Preston, MD, May 29, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1997, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Preston, MD
- Coordinates: 38.709861, -75.900627 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7099&lon=-75.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA149

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper flare during a precautionary landing, which resulted in a hard landing.  A factor in the accident was the failure of the left magneto, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was on an aerial application mission, when the engine experienced a partial loss of power.  The pilot performed a precautionary landing to a field and landed hard.  The accident was reported more than 60 days after the date of the occurrence, after the airplane was disassembled.  The power loss was reported to be the result of a failure of the left magneto.

## Factual narrative

On May 29, 1997, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N4497Y, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Preston, Maryland.  The certificated commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight which originated at Laurel Airport, Laurel, Delaware, about 1400.  No flight plan had been filed for the flight which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137.

The NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, submitted by the pilot's lawyer more than 60 days after the accident and after the airplane was disassembled, stated:

"...[the pilot] experienced a loss of power due to a problem with the left magneto...He performed a precautionary landing in a field near Preston, MD, which resulted in very slight damage to the bottom of the tail, strut cords and right wing...There were no injuries and it was determined to be a non-reportable incident."

According to written reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the front and rear spars of the right wing were replaced, the landing gear bungees were broken, and a tube member was bent and cracked for the tail section which mounts the rudder.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4497Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4169
- Airframe hours: 3849
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Rob Collins, doing business as Air Ag Inc.
- Registered owner: Air-Ag., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1997
- Departed: N06, LAUREL, DE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,142 total, 195 in this make and model, 51 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 19970529047299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970529047299A), May 29, 1997: Piper PA25235, Preston, DE, Substantial damage. (-16) PIC made an emergency landing due to left magneto problem. Accident never reported. Owner disassembled aircraft and trucked it to main base. Left mag…

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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