# NTSB ATL94LA061: Piper PA-22-160, N8647D, Columbia, SC, March 12, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 1994, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Columbia, SC - Coordinates: 33.99953, -81.029457 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9995&lon=-81.0295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3356 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3356/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA061 ## Probable cause The poor inspection of the aircraft during the annual inspection by maintenance personnel. A factor in the accident was the foreign object found in the carburetor bowl. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - fuel system,carburetor float - foreign object (contributing factor) - maintenance,inspection - poor, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis AN ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMPLETED ON MARCH 1, 1994. THIS WAS TO BE THE SECOND FLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT FOLLOWING THE INSPECTION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER DEPARTURE, AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 1700 FEET, THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS EXECUTED INTO A FRESHLY PLOWED FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE REVEALED THAT A FOREIGN OBJECT (APPEARED TO BE A PIECE OF ELECTRICAL TAPE) WAS LODGED IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. THE PILOT/OWNER REPORTED THAT THE MECHANIC, WHO CONDUCTED THE ANNUAL INSPECTION, STATED TO HIM THAT DURING THE POST MAINTENANCE FLIGHT FOLLOWING THE INSPECTION, THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE MISSING. THE MECHANIC WAS REPORTED AS STATING THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME TRASH IN THE FUEL LINES OR CARBURETOR, BUT THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 1994, about 0930 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22-160, N8647D, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a forced landing near Columbia, South Carolina. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Columbia, South Carolina, about 0915. The pilot stated that during cruise flight at 1700 feet above mean sea level, the aircraft engine stopped producing power. The pilot executed a forced landing in a plowed field, and during the roll-out, the aircraft nosed over. An examination of the aircraft engine revealed that there was a foreign object which appeared to be a piece of electrical tape lodged in the carburetor bowl. The aircraft had undergone an annual inspection on March 1, 1994. This was the second flight of the aircraft following the inspection. The pilot/owner stated that the mechanic who performed the inspection stated that during the post inspection flight, the engine seemed to be misfiring. The mechanic was reported as stating that there might be some trash in the fuel line or carburetor, but that he was unable to locate the problem. The pilot/owner failed to complete the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8647D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8647D-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 22-5855, built 1958 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-5855 - Airframe hours: 1692 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 lbs thrust reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Revels, Jerry H. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1994, 1 hours before - Destination: 49J, HILTON HEAD, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CAE, 15 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 19940312004989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940312004989A), Mar 12, 1994: Piper PA22160, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. Lost power. Landed plowed field. Nosed over. Electrical tape in carburetor bowl. On recent annual tape not detected 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.