# NTSB ATL93LA001: Piper PA-24-260, N8548P, Aliceville, AL, October 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1992, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Aliceville, AL
- Coordinates: 33.119709, -88.149169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1197&lon=-88.1492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8686/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA001

## Probable cause

MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE FUEL INJECTOR DURING THE ENGINE INSTALLATION, WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,line - not secured (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE COMPLETED A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE. THE TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO 5500 FEET WERE REPORTED AS NORMAL, BUT 30 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE TO RESTORE ENGINE POWER FAILED, THEREFORE THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE FORCED LANDING. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL INJECTOR HAD SEPARATED AT THE FUEL INJECTOR. THE MAINTENANCE LOG REVIEW DISCLOSED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD UNDERGONE A 100 HOUR INSPECTION AND AN ENGINE INSTALLATION 5 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. NO OTHER MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS WERE NOTED DURING THE EXAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8548P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8548P-1993-05-18), registration cancelled 1993-05-18, S/N 244005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4005
- Airframe hours: 2468
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-540-04A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pickering And Mckinney
- Registered owner: Pickering And Mckinney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1992, 5 hours before
- Departed: GTR, COLUMBUS, MS
- Destination: GNV, GAINESVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 684 total, 19 in this make and model, 609 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GTR, 25 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 19921002039999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921002039999A), Oct 2, 1992: Piper PA24250, Aliceville, AL, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Damaged on forced landing in a clearing. Found fuel line separated from fuel injector.

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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