# NTSB ATL85LA254: Piper PA-38-112, N23376, Spring City, TN, August 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1985, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Spring City, TN
- Coordinates: 35.680599, -84.860809 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6806&lon=-84.8608&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): 6859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6859/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA254

## 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 - siphoning (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS ON A SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY TRAINING FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD AND DURNING THE LANDING THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. POST CRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT AIR WAS BEING DRAWN INTO THE SYSTEM THROUGH THE GASCOLATOR O-RING SEAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23376 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0116
- Airframe hours: 848
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Volunteer Aviation
- Registered owner: Ross A. Ramsey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TYS, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Destination: CJE, COOKEVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 38 total, 38 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSV, 15 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 19850819047839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850819047839A), Aug 19, 1985: Piper PA38112, Spring City, TN, Substantial damage. Engine quit when throttle advanced. Unable to restart. Struck fence in a field. Gascolator o ring was leaking.

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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