# NTSB ATL88LA252: Piper PA-12, N2833M, Covington, TN, September 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1988, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Covington, TN
- Coordinates: 35.55928, -89.640205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5593&lon=-89.6402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7814
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7814/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA252

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - contamination (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - seized (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - inadequate certification/approval, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND BACKFIRE DURING A PIPELINE PATROL FLIGHT AT 300 FT AGL. THE ROUGHNESS WORSENED AND THE PLT MADE A FORCED LDG ON A DIRT ROAD. DURING ROLLOUT, ONE OF THE WINGS CAUGHT VEGETATION BORDERING THE ROAD AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. EXAM OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT IT WAS SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATED FOR THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE, AND THAT IT WAS FUELED WITH AUTO GAS. EXAM OF THE LYC 0-290-D2 ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE #4 EXHAUST VALVE WAS STUCK OPEN, AND HEAVY CARBON DEPOSITS WERE PRESENT ON THE VALVE. THE VALVES IN THE #3 CYL WERE FOUND TO BE BURNED. LYCOMING DOES NOT RECOMMEND THE USE OF AUTO GAS IN LYCOMING ACFT ENGINES. SERVICE LETTER L199 NOTES THAT GUMS CAN FORM IN AUTO FUELS WHICH CAN CAUSE STICKING VALVES. FAA AC 91.33A CONTAINS SEVERAL CAUTIONS ON THE USE OF THE AUTO FUEL CONCERNING QUALITY CONTROL, GUM FORMATION, VOLATILITY & CARB ICING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2833M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12-1270
- Airframe hours: 6568
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Ne Patrol, Inc.
- Registered owner: Northeast Patrol, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 10, 1988, 5 hours before
- Departed: NONE, GREENVILLE, MS
- Destination: M04, COVINGTON, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 13,000 total, 11,000 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19880915044829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880915044829A), Sep 15, 1988: Piper STCPA12, Covington, TN, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on pipeline patrol. Wing caught brush on road,veered into ditch. Auto fuel caused sticking valves

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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