Piper PA-28-140 accident near Hammonton, New Jersey, June 21, 1997
On June 21, 1997 at about 3:05 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N43464, was destroyed in an accident near Hammonton, New Jersey (Hammonton Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to a partially blocked engine muffler.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 21, 1997 · about 3:05 pm local time
- Place
- Hammonton, New Jersey · Hammonton Airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N43464 · no longer on the register · serial 74-25369
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he checked the fuel quantity and the magnetos prior to takeoff, and the engine 'ran perfect.' After takeoff, about 180 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. He attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. He then attempted to return to the airport, but the airplane collided with trees. A witness stated the airplane entered a 30 degree bank after the pilot announced engine trouble over the radio. Examination of the engine revealed the inside of the muffler was deteriorated and baffles were restricting the exhaust flow. An FAA Inspector stated the airport was surrounded by forced landing areas, to include an open field at the departure end of the runway.
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
- Flight time: 827 hours in all; 827 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,683 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 1996; 53 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N81 at 3:00 pm
- Destination: 3W3 Kent Island MD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 3,004 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from ACY, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.