Piper PA-28-151 accident near Princeton, New Jersey, May 16, 1998
On May 16, 1998 at about 11:25 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-151, registered N56969, was substantially damaged in an accident near Princeton, New Jersey (Princeton Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A stuck carburetor float which restricted fuel flow to the engine that resulted in a loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 16, 1998 · about 11:25 pm local time
- Place
- Princeton, New Jersey · Princeton Airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-151 · all PA-28-151s on the register
- Registration
- N56969 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7415030
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated the engine lost partial power during climbout and he attempted to return to the airport. During the turn the engine lost all power, and he performed a forced landing to a field. The engine was examined under the supervision of an FAA Inspector. After two failed attempts to start the engine, a carburetor float was freed. The engine then ran to rated power. Examination of the carburetor revealed the carburetor flowed within operational limits. According to witnesses, the airplane departed with a 9 knot tailwind. The airplane's takeoff weight was estimated to be about 20 pounds over the maximum takeoff weight. The calculations did not include baggage no longer available to be weighed.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 362 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 280 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,515 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 19, 1998; 53 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 39N Princeton NJ at 11:20 pm
- Destination: N07 Lincoln Park NJ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 3,099 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from TTN, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
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.