# NTSB ATL92FA162: Piper PA-28-160, N5640W, Lawrenceville, GA, August 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1992, 02:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Lawrenceville, GA
- Location: 33.9679° N, 83.9747° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from GWINNETT COUNTY/BRISCOE FLD (LZU), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9679&lon=-83.9747&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92FA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92FA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL, AND HIS IMPROPER EXECUTION OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE, HIS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WHEN HE FAILED TO DRAIN THE GASCOLATOR, THE WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL, AND THE LEAKING FUEL TANK CAP.

## 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
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid - water (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,cap - leak (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT ELECTED TO GO FLYING AFTER FINISHING WORK AT A LOCAL PIZZA RESTAURANT, WHICH HE STATED WAS HIS HABIT. HIS WIFE AND 3 FRIENDS ACCOMPANIED HIM. HE REPORTED THAT HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION DID NOT INCLUDE DRAINING THE FUEL GASCOLATOR, AS LISTED IN THE OWNERS' HANDBOOK. THE FIRST TAKE OFF ATTEMPT ON THE SAME FLIGHT WAS DELAYED WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT DURING RUNUP. THE PILOT BELIEVED THE ENGINE HAD QUIT BECAUSE THE PRIMER WAS NOT FULLY CLOSED. AFTER PUSHING THE AIRPLANE BACK TO THE RAMP, IT REMAINED STATIONARY UNTIL A SECOND START WAS ACCOMPLISHED. DURING THE ENSUING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKE OFF THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TURNING AND DIVING TO THE RIGHT SO, HE TRIED TO APPLY BACK PRESSURE TO THE YOKE AND A LITTLE RUDDER. HE STATED THAT HE HEARD THE STALL WARNING HORN WHEN THE ENGINE POWER DECREASED. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A STALL WARNING LIGHT, ONLY. THE PILOT HAD RECORDED 4 FLIGHTS IN A CESSNA 152 AND 7 FLIGHTS IN THE PA28. PASSENGERS ON THE AIRPLANE STATED THAT AFTER TAKE OFF THE NOSE WAS PITCHED UP ABNORMALLY HIGH, THEN THE AIRPLANE ROLLED AND DESCENDED TO IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5640W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5640W-1994-06-27), registration cancelled 1994-06-27, S/N 28788 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-788
- Airframe hours: 2651
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maynard, David W.
- Registered owner: Holden, Donald T/Andrea D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1992, 26 hours before
- Departed: LZU
- Destination: LZU
- Airport: LZU, Gwinnett Co.Briscoe Field, runway 25, 4,012 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 20 total, 16 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LZU, 1 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 19920819032199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920819032199A), Aug 19, 1992: Piper PA28160, Lawrenceville, GA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stalled on climbout. No solo endorsment or night checkout. Was over gross weight and out of CG on loading.

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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