Piper PA-32-260 N1967E

Summary

On 27 January 2013 at about 22:30 local time, a Piper PA-32-260 registered N1967E, operated by Deniece de Preister, was involved in an accident near Yonkers, New York, 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

27 January 2013 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Yonkers, New York, United States

Coordinates

40.9567, -73.9017

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-260

Registration

N1967E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Deniece de Preister

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Old Bridge → Old Bridge

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

ERA13LA121

Nobody was injured.

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine and associated components did not reveal any mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was performing a personal sightseeing flight over the Hudson River at 1,200 feet above mean sea level. She reported the airplane contained 74 gallons of fuel at takeoff. While abeam a tower, the engine began to partially lose power. The pilot initiated the emergency procedures in the checklist and applied carburetor heat. Engine performance worsened and the carburetor heat was left on for about 15 seconds. She then turned off the carburetor heat and engine performance improved. After about 20 seconds, the engine began to lose power again. Unable to maintain altitude, she made a mayday call and performed a forced landing on the river. The engine and airframe were inspected after the airplane was recovered from the river. The engine ingested a significant amount of mud and debris and many engine components were corroded. No evidence of preaccident mechanical malfunction or failure was found with the engine, ignition system, or carburetor that would have precluded normal operation. Damage from prolonged water submersion prevented a test run of the engine. The airplane was not being operated in weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.