# NTSB ATL85FA020: Piper PA-22-108, N4873Z, Vicksburg, MS, October 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1984, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Vicksburg, MS
- Coordinates: 32.319938, -90.869247 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3199&lon=-90.8692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6575
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6575/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA020

## 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 - downwind
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING PREFLT, PLT DETECTED WATER IN FUEL SAMPLE. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY AND ON CROSSWIND LEG LOST POWER COMPLETELY. PLT STATED THAT ON APPROACH TO FORCED LANDING, HE INTENTIONALLY STRUCK A TREE WITH THE LEFT WING TO SLOW THE ACFT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CARBURETOR FLOAT CHAMBER TO BE HALF FULL OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4873Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4873Z-2012-08-08), registration cancelled 2012-08-08, S/N 22-8452, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-8452
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-CL 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edgar R. Wooten, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Airport: VKS, Vicksburg Muni, runway 19, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19841025061039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841025061039A), Oct 25, 1984: Piper PA22108, Vicksburg, MS, Destroyed. Engine failed due to water in fuel system. Aircraft out of annual. Using auto fuel without supplemental.

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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