# NTSB ATL89LA017: Piper PA-22-108, N5361Z, Advance, NC, October 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1988, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Advance, NC
- Coordinates: 35.930923, -80.400924 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9309&lon=-80.4009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor float - soaked (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - not performed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,filter - collapsed (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
  - fuel system,line - deteriorated (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB ENG QUIT THEN RE-STARTED. PIC TURNED TO THE NORTH & ENGINE QUIT AGAIN. PIC STALLED ACFT & CRASHED INTO WHEAT FIELD. ACFT HAD STC FOR AUTO GAS. FUEL IN ACFT HAD WATER & RUST CONTAMINANTS. FUEL LINES HAD DRIED. CARB HAD COMPOSITE FLOAT. THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE CARB THROAT WERE FOUND SOOTED. COMPOSITE FLOATS ARE NO LONGER MADE BY MANUFACTURER & AD REQUIRING THEM HAS BEEN RESCINDED. FAA ADVISORY CIRCULAR, FAA ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAM, PIPER SVC BULLETIN & LYCOMING FLYER ALL POINT OUT LACK OF UNIFORM STANDARDS FOR AUTO GAS & PROBLEM OF INADEQUATE STANDARDS. FAA STATES AUTO GAS ALLOWS CARB ICE AT HIGHER TEMPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5361Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5361Z-1990-08-16), registration cancelled 1990-08-16, S/N 229087 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-9087
- Airframe hours: 2780
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Benjamin F. Tugman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1987
- Airport: 8A7, Twin Lakes, runway 27, 2,950 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 434 total, 397 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19881024050109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881024050109A), Oct 24, 1988: Piper STCPA22, Mocksville, NC, Substantial damage. Engine cut out twice, stalled and spun in circling to land. Fuel line swollen and collapsed. Was using auto fuel.

## Other investigations on N5361Z (2)

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 IAD78FID22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78FID22), Aug 22, 1978: Piper PA-22 (N5361Z), Danville, VA, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC73DKM12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73DKM12), Sep 22, 1972: Piper PA-22 (N5361Z), Reidsville, NC, 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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