Piper PA-28R-200 accident near Middletown, Rhode Island, July 1, 1989
On July 1, 1989 at about 9:50 pm local time, a Piper PA-28R-200, registered N5029S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Middletown, Rhode Island. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF BOTH MAGNETOS SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. .
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 1, 1989 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- Middletown, Rhode Island
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200 · all PA-28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N5029S · registry record · serial 28R35775
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND COMPLETED AN ENGINE RUN UP PRIOR TO TAKE OFF AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY MAGNETO DROP DURING THE CHECK. APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT, HE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER; HOWEVER, THE PROPELLER CONTINUED TO WINDMILL. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL LINES, AND FUEL MANIFOLD. THE RIGHT MAGNETO HAD A CRACKED CASE AND THE LEFT MAGNETO HAD A PIECE OF THE INTERNAL COIL BROKEN OFF. THE AIRPLANE WAS FORCE LANDED IN A SWAMPY AREA.
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: 2,000 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 1,900 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,020 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 1989; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Newport RI at 9:30 pm
- Destination: Providence RI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.