# NTSB ATL94LA052: Piper PA-24-250, N6253P, Kinston, NC, February 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 21, 1994, 13:37 local (18:37 UTC) - Place: Kinston, NC - Location: 35.3314° N, 77.6088° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at KINSTON RGNL JETPORT AT STALLINGS FLD (ISO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3314&lon=-77.6088&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3349 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3349/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA052 ## Probable cause A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A PARTIAL BLOCKAGE OF THE INDUCTION AIR SYSTEM BY A FOREIGN OBJECT (SILICON BAFFLING MATERIAL). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,ram air/induction air - foreign object (cause) - fuel system,ram air/induction air - blocked(partial) (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT ABOUT 500 FEET MSL DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE STARTED A LEFT TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. AFTER CLEARING SOME TREES, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FORCE LANDED IN A GRASSY AREA. AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED A PIECE OF SILICON BAFFLING MATERIAL, 8 INCHES BY ONE INCH, LODGED INSIDE THE CARBURETOR AIRBOX, WITH 2 INCHES OF THIS MATERIAL EXTENDING INTO THE CARBURETOR VENTURI. WHEN THE MATERIAL WAS REMOVED, THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY DURING A TEST RUN. THE ORIGIN OF THE FOREIGN MATERIAL COULD NOT BE DETERMINED, AND MAINTENANCE RECORDS DID NOT REVEAL ANY RECENT WORK WHICH WOULD REQUIRE SUCH A MATERIAL. ## Factual narrative On February 21, 1994, at 1337 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6253P, was force landed after a reported engine power loss in Kinston, North Carolina. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. The aircraft was owned and operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Manchester, New Hampshire. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the following: At about 500 feet mean sea level on the initial climb following takeoff, the engine sputtered and lost power. He made a turn toward the airfield, and left the gear up for as long as possible to reduce drag. After the aircraft cleared some trees, the landing gear handle was lowered, however the gear did not have time to extend prior to touchdown. The aircraft landed in a grassy area on the airfield. The aircraft slid across the grass, then across a taxiway before coming to rest in a grassy area. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the aircraft following the accident. He reported that there was a piece of silicon baffling material, approximately 8 inches long and one inch wide, lodged inside the carburetor airbox, with about 2 inches of it extending into the carburetor venturi. The origin of the silicon material could not be determined, and maintenance records did not reveal any recent work which would require such a material to be used. The engine was then prepared for a test run. The engine started normally and sustained rpm and normal cylinder head temperature. This was attempted several times, and each time the engine started normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6253P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6253P-1994-06-14), registration cancelled 1994-06-14, S/N 241360 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1360 - Airframe hours: 4200 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Shnur, Morris - Registered owner: Shnur, Morris - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1993, 150 hours before - Destination: MHT, MANCHESTER, NH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ISO, Kinston Regional Jetport, runway 5, 7,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,940 total, 1,240 in this make and model, 1,940 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ISO ## 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 19940221006239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940221006239A), Feb 21, 1994: Piper PA24250, Kinston, NC, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Returned with gear up intransit landing. Collapsed on runway. Plastic blocked carb air ## Other investigations on N6253P (1) 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 NYC82DA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA226), Sep 18, 1982: Piper PA-24 (N6253P), Erie, PA, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.