# NTSB ATL06LA053: Piper PA28-180F, N2133T, Easley, SC, March 18, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 18, 2006, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Easley, SC - Coordinates: 34.833332, -82.349998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8333&lon=-82.3500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Columbia FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63362 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63362/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06LA053 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent in-flight collision with non-suitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis According to the pilot, following takeoff, he made a left standard pattern and turned to the north and climbed to about 3,000 feet. Upon reaching altitude, he leveled off and retarded the throttle to cruise power and turned off the fuel pump. At that time, the engine began running rough like a "magneto failure". He immediately turned the fuel pump back on, made a left standard turn back toward the runway. The engine continued to lose power and he could get no response from the throttle. He tried to glide to the runway, but then realized he was going to be short. He elected to land in a road intersection. He saw two sets of power wires in his path and went over the first set and had to go under the second set. Unable to regain altitude, he impacted the ground thirty yards short of the road and slid through the intersection. Damage consisted of the left wing, left main landing gear, nose gear, engine mount, firewall, and tearing of the bottom right wing lower skin. Examination of the engine by the FAA found fuel in the gascolator and carburetor bowl with a small amount of water in both. The throttle cable was attached and functioning. There were no obstructions observed in the intake manifold. The magnetos, spark plugs and compression were all within normal limits, and valve and valve train continuity was established through to the accessory section. The engine was not run due to the collapsed nose gear. The FAA further stated that all systems inspected appeared normal and that he suspected an intermittent fuel supply problem. ## Factual narrative On March 18, 2006, at 1545 eastern standard time, a Piper PA28-180F, N2133T, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, lost engine power in cruise flight and collided with the ground during a forced landing, in Easley, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot reported minor injuries and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight originated from the Williamsport Airpark, Easley, South Carolina, on March 18, 2006, at 1530. According to the pilot, following takeoff, he made a left standard pattern and turned to the north and climbed to about 3,000 feet. Upon reaching altitude, he leveled and retarded the throttle to cruise power and turned off the fuel pump. At that time, the engine began running rough like a "magneto failure". He immediately turned the fuel pump back on, made a left standard turn back toward the runway. The engine continued to lose power and he could get no response from the throttle. He tried to glide to the runway then realized he was going to be short. He elected to land in a road intersection. He saw two sets of power wires in his path and went over the first set and had to go under the second set. Unable to regain altitude, he impacted the ground thirty yards short of the road and slid through the intersection. Damage consisted of the left wing, left main landing gear, nose gear, engine mount, firewall, and tearing of the bottom right wing lower skin. Examination of the engine by the FAA found fuel in the gascolator and carburetor bowl. The FAA inspector further stated, "Found small amount of water in both but not significant." The throttle cable was attached and functioning. There were no obstructions observed in the intake manifold. The magnetos, spark plugs and compression were all within normal limits, and valve and valve train continuity was established through to the accessory section. The inspector stated, "All systems inspected appeared normal. Suspect intermittent fuel supply problem, and that he was, "Unable to run engine due to collapsed nose gear." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2133T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2133T-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 28-7105158 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA28-180F - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7105 158 - Airframe hours: 6840.36 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard C. Swillen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005, 4 hours before - Departed: SC86, Easley, SC - Destination: SC86, Easley, SC - Airport: SC86, Williams Port ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 255 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: GMU, 10 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 20060318004849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060318004849A), Mar 18, 2006: Piper PA28180, Easley, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that after reaching an altitude of 3000' feet he leveled for cruise and retarded the throttle and turned off the fuel pump. At that time… ## Other investigations on N2133T (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 NYC74AN039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74AN039), Oct 31, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N2133T), Hartford, CT, minor damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.