De Havilland DH-82 TIGER MOTH N4797

Summary

On 16 June 2001 at about 15:30 local time, a De Havilland DH-82 TIGER MOTH registered N4797 was involved in an accident near Allamuchy, New Jersey, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 June 2001 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Allamuchy, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Weiss Farm (JY24)

Coordinates

40.9208, -74.8625

Aircraft

De Havilland DH-82 TIGER MOTH

Registration

N4797

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Allamuchy → Rhinebeck

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD01LA067

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power over unsuitable terrain due to an exhaust valve stuck in the open position.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.