# Accident 19971218039159A: Piper PA28R200, Skidmore, WV, December 18, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 18, 1997, 20:20 local time
- Place: Skidmore, WV
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.7678° N, 81.6626° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7678&lon=-81.6626&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9418N, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9418N-2013-08-27) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28R-200 (registry code 7102811, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R200
- Reported engine: CONT IO360*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 880 total, 14 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC98LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA045) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971218039159A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ENGINE FAILED IN FLIGHT. PILOT ATTEMPTED RESTART WITH NO SUCCESS. A/C SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED UPON LANDING. (.4)THE AIRPLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 7,500 FEET WITH THE ENGINE PRODUCING SATISFACTORY POWER.  THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE SLOWLY AND SMOOTHLY LOST POWER OVER A 10-15 SECOND DURATION.  THE ENGINE COMPLETELY LOST POWER OVER AN UNLIGHTED RURAL AREA AND THE PILOT STRUCK TREES AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING.  EXAMINATION OF AIRCRAFT RECORDS REVEALED THE ENGINE AND THE FUEL CONTROL WERE OVERHAULED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE MANUFACTURERS AND THE ENGINE WAS INSTALLED 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.  THE ENGINE HAD ACCUMULATED 14.6 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES.  EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL CONTROL SERVO REVEALED THAT A LOCK NUT WAS NO LONGER INSTALLED.  THE INITIAL FLOW TESTS REVEALED A FLOW RATE EQUIVALENT TO IDLE CUT OFF.  WHEN A TEST NUT WAS INSTALLED, THE UNIT FLOWED 'PERFECTLY.'  WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FUEL SERVO AND THE ENGINE WITH THE OUTER NUT NO LONGER INSTALLED IN THE SERVO, THE INSPECTOR STATED, 'BASICALLY, WHAT IT DOES IS IT SHUTS                                       OFF THE FUEL WHEN THAT NUT BACKS OFF. IT'S JUST LIKE PULLING IT TO IDLE CUT OFF.'

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC98LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA045), Dec 19, 1997: Piper PA-28R-200 (N9418N), Fairplain, WV, destroyed. Probable cause: an improper overhaul of the fuel servo by the manufacturer, which resulted in the loss of engine power. Factors in the accident were the dark night conditions and rough forced landing terrain.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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