# NTSB ATL96LA085: Merle Musson Cozy, N86LM, Covington, TN, May 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1996, 18:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Covington, TN - Coordinates: 35.560085, -89.640159 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5601&lon=-89.6402&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3727 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3727/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA085 ## Probable cause The clogged fuel strainer that resulted in an engine stoppage. A factor was the lack of a suitable landing site. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,strainer - flow restricted (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose over, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The engine carburetor had been replaced about four days prior to the accident. The pilot stated that he had been airborne, over the airport, about 35 minutes with the engine operating satisfactorily. He initiated touch and go landings. During one takeoff, the engine quit about 150 feet above the ground. A forced landing was made to the only available landing site, a soft muddy field, made so by recent rains. The airplane nosed over after the landing. An inspector stated that post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the fuel strainer was clogged with foreign material that appeared to be from the fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1996, about 1805 central daylight time, a Merle Musson Cozy, N86LM, nosed over during a forced landing at Covingtion, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal, local flight. The private pilot had minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated about 30 to 40 minutes prior to the accident at the Covington Municipal Airport, Covington, Tennessee. According to the pilot, he was conducting a post maintenance check flight following the replacement of the carburetor about 4 days prior to the accident. After flying above the airport about 40 minutes with no discrepancies, he entered the landing pattern. During the go-around of a touch and go landing, the engine quit about 150 feet above the ground. The airplane was landed in a wet, muddy field which resulted in a nose over at touchdown. The airworthiness inspector who examined the airplane reported during a telephone conversation on May 13, 1996, that the fuel strainer was found clogged with a foreign material that apparently came from the fuel system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86LM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86LM-2003-03-03), registration cancelled 2003-03-03, S/N 6, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MERLE MUSSON COZY - Registry model: [Mussen Merle D COZY](https://openairdocs.org/model/mussen-merle-d-cozy) (registry code 05613MM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 006 - Airframe hours: 407 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert W. Harris - Registered owner: Charles Pitman/Valerie Harris - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1996, 27 hours before - Departed: M04 - Airport: M04, Covington Municipal, runway 19, 4,998 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 787 total, 21 in this make and model, 726 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: NQA, 18 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 19960507047579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960507047579A), May 7, 1996: Amtr COZY, Covington, TN, Substantial damage. (-16) Post accident inspection of the aircraft revealed a clogged fuel strainer with a sponge like material, substance unknown. Suspect deterioration of fuel… 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.