Sunday, February 19, 2017

Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow, N15745, registered to and operated by a private company: Accident occurred February 19, 2017 in Bayonne, Hudson County, New Jersey

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Teterboro, New Jersey
The New Piper Aircraft Company; Prosper, Texas
Lycoming; Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Airborn Flight Services Inc: http://registry.faa.gov/N15745



Location: Bayonne, NJ
Accident Number: ERA17LA110
Date & Time: 02/19/2017, 1000 EST
Registration: N15745
Aircraft: PIPER PA28R
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The private pilot reported that the personal local flight was uneventful until the engine made an odd noise, which was followed by a partial loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the problem, but the engine power was not fully restored, and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude, so the pilot made a forced landing to a road. The airplane struck power lines and vehicles before coming to rest on a sidewalk.

Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder's intake valve had separated. The valve stem was found in the oil pan, and the remainder of the valve was found in its intake manifold. Metallurgical examination of the No. 3 cylinder assembly, including the fractured intake valve, revealed that the valve was fractured in the stem in two places and through the head in one place. The interior of the cylinder exhibited damage consistent with impacts from the fractured valve. The connecting rod was intact, but the bearings were worn through both the babbit and copper layers. Examination of the fracture surfaces revealed fatigue cracks initiating from the fillet radius between the valve stem tip and the key area of the stem shaft. The other fractures were consistent with overstress.

Further examination of the engine case revealed that all eight hydraulic valve tappet plungers were installed 180° opposite of the proper installation contained in the manufacturer's overhaul manual. The reversed installation of the plunger would have adversely affected the operation of the No. 3 cylinder's intake valve and placed an abnormal load on the valve's tip. A review of the engine's maintenance logbook revealed that the engine had been repaired about 35.7 hours before the accident. At that time, all four cylinders were removed and replaced, including the hydraulic valve tappet plunger assemblies. Given that the cylinders had been recently removed and reinstalled on the engine, including the hydraulic valve tappet plungers, it is likely that the engine experienced a partial loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel's improper installation of the No. 3 cylinder's hydraulic valve tappet plunger.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
Maintenance personnel's incorrect installation of the No. 3 cylinder's hydraulic valve tappet plunger, which resulted in a failure of the No. 3 cylinder's intake valve and the subsequent partial loss of engine power.

Findings

Aircraft
Engine (reciprocating) - Failure (Cause)
Recip eng cyl section - Failure (Cause)
Recip eng cyl section - Incorrect service/maintenance (Cause)

Personnel issues
Installation - Maintenance personnel (Cause)

Environmental issues
Wire - Contributed to outcome


Factual Information

On February 19, 2017, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N15745, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a road in Bayonne, New Jersey. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private company. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was field for the local flight that departed Republic Airport (FRG), Farmingdale, New York, about 0900. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot stated that he had not flown since August 2016 and was taking the club-rented airplane, that he had previously trained in and flown, out for a pleasure flight. He conducted a pre-flight inspection and confirmed that both fuel tanks were "topped off" and added 1 quart of oil for a total of 7 quarts. The pilot then taxied to the active runway, performed an engine run-up, and departed. The pilot said the flight was uneventful until he approached the Statue of Liberty and Verrazano Bridge. That is when, and without any warning, he heard a "foomph" noise come from the engine along with a "white mist" that appeared for less than 1 second and never returned. At this point, the pilot realized that the engine had lost power (he could not estimate how much) and he was having trouble maintaining altitude. He said he attempted to trouble shoot the problem. Although he did not recall the exact sequence of things, the pilot said he switched fuel tanks from left to right, checked the ignition, and looked quickly at the engine gauges. The pilot recalled that the manifold pressure was "all the way up", but he did not remember what the other gauges indicated. He had also moved the propeller lever full forward and declared a "May Day" over the radio. He said the engine never lost full power. The pilot declared an emergency, flew toward land, and made a forced landing to a road. The airplane struck power lines and vehicles before coming to rest on a sidewalk in a congested city neighborhood. There was no post-impact fire or injuries to anyone on the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, tail section and fuselage.

The engine was separated from the airframe for examination. The valve covers were removed and oil was noted throughout the engine. About .5-ounce of fuel was recovered from the fuel servo and .25- ounce was recovered from the engine driven fuel pump. The fuel was blue, clear, and consistent with 100-low-lead aviation gasoline. When the engine driven fuel pump was actuated by hand, suction and compression were confirmed at the inlet and outlet port. The oil suction screen was removed and some metallic contamination was observed in the screen. The oil filter was opened and also contained metallic contamination. A timing check of the magnetos revealed that they were near their specification of 20° prior to top dead center. Both magnetos produced spark at all leads when rotated by hand. The top spark plugs were removed and their electrodes were intact. When the propeller was rotated by hand, camshaft, crankshaft, and valve train continuity were confirmed to the rear accessory section. Thumb compression was attained on the No. 1 and No. 4 cylinders. The No. 2 cylinder was impact damaged and the No. 3 cylinder exhibited a small hole near the intake manifold of the cylinder. Removal of the No. 3 cylinder revealed that the intake valve had separated and the valve stem was recovered in the oil pan. The remainder of the No. 3 valve was recovered from its intake manifold. Further examination of the engine case revealed that all eight hydraulic valve tappet plungers were installed 180°opposite from proper installation per the manufacturer's overhaul manual.

The No. 3 cylinder assembly, including the fractured intake valve, was examined at the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory, Washington, DC. The examination revealed the intake valve was fractured in the stem in two places and through the head in one place. The interior of the cylinder exhibited damage consistent with the impacts from the fractured valve. The connecting rod was intact, but the bearings were worn through both the babbit and copper layers. Examination of the fracture surfaces revealed fatigue cracks initiating from the fillet radius between the valve stem tip and the key area of the stem shaft. The other fractures were consistent with overstress.

A review of the aircraft maintenance logbooks revealed the engine was repaired about 35.7 hours prior to the accident on January 9, 2017. At that time, all four cylinders were removed and reinstalled, including the hydraulic valve tappet assemblies for each cylinder. According to the entry, the mechanic wrote, "All work performed I/A/W Lycoming overhaul and service manuals as well as Piper service manual. Aircraft approved for return to service."

The Lycoming Direct Drive Engine Overhaul Manual, pages 6-7 and 6-8, discusses the hydraulic valve tappet assemblies along with an illustration (figure 6-9) that depicts how the tappet plungers are to be oriented once installed in the engine.

Weather at Newark International Airport (EWR), Newark, New Jersey, about 6 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, at 0951, was reported as wind from 250° at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 ft, broken clouds at 27,000 ft, temperature 61° F, dew point 37° F, and an altimeter setting of 29.82 inHg. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 56, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/13/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/07/2016
Flight Time:  97.6 hours (Total, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N15745
Model/Series: PA28R 200
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1972
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28R-7335087
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 5
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/17/2016, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection: 69 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7059.07 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C91A installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: IO-360
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 210 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held:  None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: EWR, 16 ft msl
Observation Time: 0951 EST
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 330°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 12000 ft agl
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 3°C
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 27000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction:  8 knots, 250°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.82 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: FARMINGDALE, NY (FRG)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: FARMINGDALE, NY (FRG)
Type of Clearance: VFR Flight Following
Departure Time: 0900 EST
Type of Airspace: 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude:  40.668611, -74.114167 (est)




NTSB Identification: ERA17LA110

14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, February 19, 2017 in Bayonne, NJ
Aircraft: PIPER PA28R, registration: N15745
Injuries: 1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.


On February 19, 2017, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N15745, single-engine airplane, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a road in Bayonne, New Jersey. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private company. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was field for the local flight that departed Republic Airport (FRG), Farmingdale, New York, about 0900. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.


According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot stated that he was maneuvering around the Statute of Liberty when the engine started to lose power and he was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot declared an emergency, flew toward land, and made a forced landing to a road. The airplane struck power lines and vehicles before coming to rest on a sidewalk in a congested city neighborhood. There was no postimpact fire or injuries to anyone on the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, tail section and fuselage. The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.


Weather at Newark International Airport (EWR), Newark, New Jersey, about 6 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, at 0951, was reported as wind from 250 ° at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 12,000 feet, broken clouds at 27,000 feet, temperature 61 degrees F, dew point 37 degrees F, and an altimeter setting of 29.82 inHg.
BAYONNE - A 56-year-old pilot made a call for help in the moments before crashing the small plane he was operating on Avenue E earlier this year.

In recordings of the "mayday" call received at Newark Liberty International Airport, George Pettway tells air traffic control officers he was near the Verrazano Bridge when his Piper PA-28 aircraft lost power and quickly began losing altitude.

No one was killed in the Feb. 19 crash and Pettway was the only person injured. He was hospitalized for about a week and a half at Jersey City Medical Center before being released.

The Jersey Journal filed a records request for the recordings with the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA has since posted more than 30 minutes of recordings - mostly with no sound - on its website.

"Mayday, mayday, mayday, arrow, just north of the Verrazano, losing power, altitude 800 ft. 15745," Pettway says in his initial call for help.

Within moments, Pettway makes a second call after not immediately getting a response from the control tower.

"I'm over the Hudson, just north of the Verrazano losing power and altitude. 700 ft.," he tells control.

Someone responds to Pettway's calls and asks where the pilot is flying, and says on the New Jersey side of the Verrazano Bridge.

Again, there are moments of silence before the operators discuss where Pettway should land the small plane.

"Tell him to come here," one operator says to the other.

Pettway was told he could land at Newark Airport, which appears to be what he was attempting to do. The operators ask if Pettway is still on the air and get no response.

Despite crash landing in a residential neighborhood, there was no widespread damage. Three cars were heavily damaged and thousands were without power for most of the day. Pettway came within half a block of crashing into a gas station and pieces of his plane shattered a windshield at the station.

Officials said it could take up to a year before a full report of the crash is available. 

Story and video:   http://www.nj.com



















































































































BAYONNE -- Investigators expect it will take months to determine what caused a small plane to crash in a residential neighborhood on Sunday.

The Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow aircraft crashed on Avenue E near 41st Street at about 10 a.m. The pilot of the plane, George Pettway, of Long Island, was the only person injured, authorities said. 

Leah Read, senior air safety investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, said Pettway departed from Republic Airport in East Farmingdale about an hour before the crash. 

Just before the small aircraft plummeted to the ground, Pettway reported having engine problems, although Read said it has not been determined if engine failure was in fact to blame for the crash. 

The NTSB plans to interview the pilot either late Tuesday evening or sometime Wednesday, Read said. 

Investigators believe Pettway was out on a "pleasure flight" and did not have plans to land at any other airport before returning to East Farmingdale, she said. 

Read emphasized the NTSB is still "very much" in the preliminary phase of the investigation and the agency is "several months away" from determining what caused the crash. 

Early findings of the investigation are likely to be released next week. 

Dozens of residents flooded the neighborhood Sunday morning and into the early evening hours to get a glimpse of the mangled plane. Thousands of residents were without power but the crash did not cause any structural damage.

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