Piper PA28 accident near Pittstown, New Jersey, February 11, 2009
On February 11, 2009 at about 9:42 pm local time, a Piper PA28, registered N55854, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Pittstown, New Jersey. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the improper tightening of a fuel hose B-nut by maintenance personnel during engine installation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 11, 2009 · about 9:42 pm local time
- Place
- Pittstown, New Jersey · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 180 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N55854 · no longer on the register · serial 28-730-5485
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot-rated passenger stated that he departed from runway 25, flying the airplane from the left front seat, with the boost pump on. During the initial takeoff climb, the fuel pressure gauge indicated zero. The engine sputtered, lost power, and the pilot-rated passenger selected a forced landing area. The engine then started, and the pilot started a turn back to the airport and the engine lost power again. The airplane collided with trees and the ground during a forced landing to a residential area. During examination and removal of the fuel system hoses to the carburetor, a loose fuel hose B-nut was found. Review of the airplane logbooks revealed the airplane engine was overhauled about 5 years prior to the accident, and put into storage until it was sold about 1 month prior to the accident. An annual inspection was conducted at that time, and the airplane had flown 4.79 hours since the last overhaul and annual inspection. According to data from the engine manufacturer, the required torque for the B-nut is 35 in/lbs. A follow-up fuel line leak test was performed, with the fuel supply selector and electric boost pump were turned on. The fuel pressure gauge indicated 4.5 ponds-per-square-inch (PSI). The fuel line B-nut was loosened and the fuel pressure dropped 1.5 PSI with a recording of 3 PSI for 5 seconds. Subsequently, fuel was observed leaking from the loosened B-nut.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Scheduled/routine inspection › Maintenance personnel
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 565 hours in all
- Last flight review: June 13, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: N40 Pittstown NJ at 9:40 pm
- Destination: N40 Pittstown NJ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from DYL, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N55854 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.