# NTSB ATL90LA116: Piper PA-22-160, N9657D, Greensboro, NC, May 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1990, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Greensboro, NC
- Location: 36.0726° N, 79.7920° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greensboro, NC, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0726&lon=-79.7920&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8241
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8241/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA116

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 800 FEET THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND QUIT. AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT BUT A FORCED LANDING WAS REQUIRED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. DURING THE GROUND ROLL THE AIRPLANE HIT A DITCH WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE & INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY REASON FOR THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9657D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9657D-1996-04-01), registration cancelled 1996-04-01, S/N 226573 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6573
- Airframe hours: 1726
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pereira, Richard J.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1990, 3 hours before

## 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.; flight hours: 3,752 total, 142 in this make and model, 3,752 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 10 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 19900523063599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900523063599A), May 23, 1990: Piper PA22160, Greensboro, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit shortly after takeoff. Struck a ditch on forced landing. Foreign piece of piston ring in oil sump.

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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