# Accident 20030730016409A: Amtr LANCAIR235, Fort Payne, AL, July 30, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 30, 2003, 10:56 local time
- Place: Fort Payne, AL
- Airport: Isbell Field Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.4736° N, 85.7214° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4736&lon=-85.7214&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7156W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7156W-2005-11-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Shippey John J LANCAIR 235 (registry code 056162N, https://openairdocs.org/model/shippey-john-j-lancair-235) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-235 series (registry code 41505, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMTR LANCAIR235
- Reported engine: LYC O235*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 13,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL03LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA121) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030730016409A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE CARBURETOR WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED BY THE OWNER/PILOT WHO BUILT THE AIRPLANE. THE OWNER/PILOT HOLDS AN FAA A&P CERTIFICATE. TWENTY MINUTES INTO THE FIRST FLIGHT, AFTER THE RE-INSTALLATION, THE ENGINE FAILED IN FLIGHT. THE ENGINE IS A LYCOMING O-235. RESTART ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT THE ISBELL AIRPORT (K4A9), FT PAYNE, AL WHERE THE FLIGHT HAD ORIGINATED FROM. THE AIRPLANE HIT TREES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND AND THEN CARTWHEELED. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOAMED THE AREA DUE TO A FUEL PRESENCE. THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRPLANE UNASSISTED. HE WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH A CRACKED VERTEBRAE, VARIOUS SCRAPES, CUTS AND BRUISES AND HE ALSO SUFFERED THE LOSS OF ONE OR TWO TEETH. (-23 AMENDMENT) ENGINE TEARDOWN REPORT DATED 3/21/03 REACHED THE CONCLUSION THAT MR. SHIPPEY FAILED TO PROPERLY RECONNECT THE MIXTURE CABLE DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE CARBURETOR. THIS ALLOWED THE MIXTURE VALVE TO GO TO THE IDLE CUTOFF POSITION.

## 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 ATL03LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA121), Jul 30, 2003: Lancair 235 (N7156W), Fort Payne, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly reconnect the mixture control cable resulting in a total loss of engine power, and subsequent in-flight collision with the trees.

## Other reports on N7156W (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19910728037869I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910728037869I), Jul 28, 1991: Amtrnc 235LANCAIR (N7156W), Charleston, WV. Pilot unable to transfer fuel. Engine quit due to fuel exhaustion on approach. Made safe landing.

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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