Amateur-built DH-82 Tiger Moth accident near Allamuchy, New Jersey, June 16, 2001
On June 16, 2001 at about 3:30 pm local time, a amateur-built DH-82 Tiger Moth, registered N4797, was substantially damaged in an accident near Allamuchy, New Jersey (Weiss Farm airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power over unsuitable terrain due to an exhaust valve stuck in the open position.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2001 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Allamuchy, New Jersey · Weiss Farm · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DH-82 Tiger Moth
- Registration
- N4797 · registry record · serial EM731
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot said he performed a preflight inspection, engine start, run-up, and magneto check with no anomalies noted. He said he taxied the airplane to the approach end of the 2,300-foot grass strip for a departure to the east. The field elevation was 550 feet, and the density altitude was 1,800 feet. According to the pilot, the airplane performed as expected through the ground roll and initial climb, but that the airplane appeared to lose power and mushed into the trees at the departure end of the runway. Interpolation of performance charts revealed that the airplane was capable of a departure from a grass strip that length, and under those atmospheric conditions, at its maximum allowable gross weight. Post-crash examination of the engine revealed the exhaust valve in the #1 cylinder was stuck in the open position.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,450 hours in all; 590 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: October 30, 1999
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,104 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,825 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: De Havilland Gypsy Major (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JY24 Allamuchy NJ at 3:29 pm
- Destination: NY94 Rhinebeck NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 055, 2,300 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 15 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 3:45 pm from MMU, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.