# NTSB ATL03LA121: Lancair 235, N7156W, Fort Payne, AL, July 30, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 2003, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Payne, AL
- Coordinates: 34.473609, -85.721389
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4736&lon=-85.7214&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Birmingham FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA121

## 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.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - maintenance,installation, pilot in command (cause)
  - mixture control,cable - not connected (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he removed the carburetor from the accident airplane to troubleshoot another airplane. He reinstalled the carburetor on the accident airplane, and flew it for approximately 20 minutes. While on final approach to land on runway 4, the engine lost power. The airplane collided with trees during an attempted emergency landing. Examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions. Examination of the carburetor control system revealed that the mixture control cable was not connected. The mixture control arm on the carburetor was in the idle cut-off position.

## Factual narrative

On July 30, 2003, at 1100 central daylight time, a Lancair 235, N7156W, registered to and operated by a commercial pilot, collided with the ground following a complete loss of engine power at Isbell Field, Ft. Payne, Alabama. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91.Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Isbell Field, Ft. Payne, Alabama, on July 30, 2003, at 1030.

According to the pilot, he removed the carburetor from the accident airplane to trouble-shoot another airplane. He reinstalled the carburetor on the accident airplane, and flew it for approximately 20 minutes. While on final approach to land on runway 4, the engine quit. The airplane collided with trees during an attempted emergency landing.

Examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions. Examination of the carburetor control system revealed that the mixture control cable was not connected. The mixture control arm on the carburetor was in the idle cut-off position.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7156W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7156W-2005-11-21), registration cancelled 2005-11-21, S/N JJS3, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Lancair 235
- Registry model: [Shippey John J LANCAIR 235](https://openairdocs.org/model/shippey-john-j-lancair-235) (registry code 056162N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JJS3
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John J Shippey
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 4A9, FORT PAYNE, AL
- Airport: 4A9, Isbell Field, runway 4, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; injuries: minor

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KGAD, 25 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20030730016409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030730016409A), Jul 30, 2003: Amtr LANCAIR235, Fort Payne, AL, Destroyed. (-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…

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.

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