Piper PA-24-180 accident near Lincoln Park, New Jersey, November 26, 2005
On November 26, 2005 at about 4:53 pm local time, a Piper PA-24-180, registered N6858P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lincoln Park, New Jersey (Lincoln Park Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper installation of the helicoil by the non-certificated mechanic, and the inadequate inspection of the installation by the certificated mechanic.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 26, 2005 · about 4:53 pm local time
- Place
- Lincoln Park, New Jersey · Lincoln Park Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-180 · all PA-24-180s on the register
- Registration
- N6858P · no longer on the register · serial 24-1994
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During climb-out from the departure airport, the pilot noticed the engine "felt off balance" and began to "misfire." The pilot initiated a return to the airport, and shortly thereafter the engine "backfired" and lost all power. The pilot initiated a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted trees and was substantially damaged. Examination of the engine revealed that a helicoil was cross threaded in the number 3 cylinder head, and metallic particles were adhered to the cylinder head and top of the piston. Thirteen days earlier, the pilot reported difficulty clearing one of the spark plugs, and he removed the number 3 cylinder bottom spark plug as a result. A mechanic then cleaned the spark plug hole, assured there were no steel particles in the cylinder, replaced the helicoil, installed a new spark plug, and ran the engine. The mechanic who installed the helicoil was non-certificated, and at the time the work was performed, a certificated mechanic was not present. According to Textron Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1043A, if a spark plug Helicoil insert replacement is performed with the cylinder assembled on the engine, "some provision must be made for preventing the aluminum shavings from entering the combustion chamber."
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 2,220 hours in all; 1,874 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 2,183 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,758.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2005
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N07 Lincoln Park NJ at 4:50 pm
- Destination: N40 Pittstown NJ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 2,942 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.35 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from CDW, 4 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.