# NTSB ATL83LA253: Homebuilt EAA Biplane, N3140B, Petersburg, VA, July 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1983, 18:27 local (22:27 UTC)
- Place: Petersburg, VA
- Location: 37.2047° N, 77.3924° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Petersburg, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2047&lon=-77.3924&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6111
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6111/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA253

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - loose (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF, CIRCLED THE FIELD, THEN STARTED TO DEPART AT APRX 1000 FT. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ENG LOST POWER & COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. WHILE ON A SHORT FINAL TO LAND, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE. REPORTEDLY, THE POWER LINE SHEARED OFF THE GEAR & A BELLY LANDING WAS MADE IN THE ROAD. AN INVESTIGAITON REVEALED THAT A VENTURI HAD COME LOOSE ON THE MARVEL SCHEBLER MA-3 CARBURETOR. AFTER THE CARBURETOR WAS REPAIRED, IT WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. THE HOME BUILT ACFT HAD A TOTAL FLT TIME OF 16 HR. THE ACCUMULATED FLT TIME ON THE ENG WAS APRX 450 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3140B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3140B), registered now, S/N LG-1, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HOMEBUILT EAA BIPLANE (EAA BIPLAN)
- Registry model: [Barnes L G EAA P-2 BIPLANE](https://openairdocs.org/model/barnes-l-g-eaa-p-2-biplane) (registry code 3360333) (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: LG-1
- Airframe hours: 16
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lemuel G. Barnes
- Departed: PTB, PETERSBURG, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 16 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19830702060119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830702060119A), Jul 2, 1983: Amtrea EAABIPLANE*, Petersburg, VA, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing after engine quit.

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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