# NTSB ATL95LA119: Piper PA-28-235, N16345, Summerville, SC, June 27, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1995, 03:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Summerville, SC
- Coordinates: 32.99961, -80.169502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9996&lon=-80.1695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA119

## Probable cause

The disconnected carburetor mixture control linkage that resulted in a loss of engine power, and the subsequent collision with trees.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - mixture control,linkage - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY. UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT FORCE LANDED IN A WOODED AREA. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE WAS ACCOMPLISHED. THE MIXTURE CONTROL LINKAGE WAS DISCONNECTED. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, IT RAN ROUGHLY UNTIL THE MIXTURE CONTROL LEVER ON THE CARBURETOR WAS MOVED BY HAND TO THE RICH POSITION.

## Factual narrative

On June 27, 1995, about 0300 eastern daylight time, a Piper  PA-28-235, N16345, collided with trees during a forced landing near Summerville, South Carolina. The private pilot was not injured, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the business flight. The flight was originating from the Dorchester County Airport in Summerville at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that his intentions were to fly the airplane to St. George, South Carolina, about 15 miles to the northwest of Summerville. During the initial climb, the engine began to run roughly, and lost power. He was unable to return to the runway, and force landed the airplane in a wooded area. The aircraft impacted trees during the landing, resulting in structural damage.

During the engine examination following the accident, the carburetor mixture control linkage was found disconnected, and the screw that joined the linkage and the valve was absent. When started, the engine ran roughly, until the mixture control valve was held, by hand, in the rich position.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16345](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16345-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N 287310089, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7310089
- Airframe hours: 3335
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Cecil J. Terry
- Registered owner: Francis A.& Thomas C. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1994, 24 hours before
- Departed: DYB
- Destination: 6J2, ST. GEORGE, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 840 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS, 20 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 19950627038929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950627038929A), Jun 27, 1995: Piper PA28235, Summerville, SC, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Struck trees landing. Carburetor mixture control disconnected to lean position. Loose screw

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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