# NTSB ATL83FA093: Piper PA-28-140, N4548R, Johns Island, SC, January 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1983, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Johns Island, SC
- Coordinates: 32.979637, -79.990905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9796&lon=-79.9909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5887
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5887/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN A SWAMP AS THE PILOT TRIED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE ENGINE LOST POWERDURING TAKEOFF CLIMB AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT WAS TRAILING BLACK SMOKE AS IT DEPARTED. DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION A LOGBOOK ENTRY WAS MADE: 'RECOMMEND #1 CYLINDER BE RECHECKED IN 10 HOURS DUE TO SUSPECTED BROKENRING AND MORE THAN 10 LBS DIFFERENCE IN COMPRESSION FROM OTHER CYLINDERS'. THIS WAS NEVER DONE AND THE ACFT HAD FLOWN ABOUT 250 HOURS SINCE THAT INSPECTION. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF AN OIL LEAK BECAUSE OF OIL POOLING IN THE COWLING. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE EXAMINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PLUG FROM #2 CYLINDER WAS HEAVILY SOOTED. WITNESSES SAID THE PILOT HAD TROUBLE STARTING THE ENGINE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND WAS SEEN WORKING ON THE ENGINE. THE PILOT WAS GOING TO HAVE THE ENGINE DISASSEMBLED AFTER THE ACCIDENT BUT WAS NOT DONE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4548R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4548R-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 28-21254, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21254
- Airframe hours: 3742
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mintz, Louis C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1981, 252 hours before
- Destination: 5J6, ISLE OF PALMS, SC
- Airport: JZI, Charleston Executive, runway 9, 5,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 510 total, 460 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830130001759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830130001759A), Jan 30, 1983: Piper PA28140, Johns Island, SC, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Crashed in a swamp. Trailed smoke on takeoff. Found fouled plugs and oil in carburetor.

## Other investigations on N4548R (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 MIA67D0336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67D0336), Dec 15, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N4548R), Merritt Isle, FL, substantial 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.

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