# NTSB ATL97LA074: Piper PA-28-151, N8392C, Sophia, NC, May 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 22, 1997, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Sophia, NC - Coordinates: 35.810317, -79.889282 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8103&lon=-79.8893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3849 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3849/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA074 ## Probable cause improper maintenance performed by an unknown person, which resulted in the reduction of airflow through the engine induction system and subsequent loss of engine power. A factor related to the accident was: failure of the pilot to attain a proper touchdown point on the runway for a successful forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - induction air control/system - blocked(partial) (cause) - maintenance - improper, unknown (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Overrun, landing - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis While flying at 3000 feet, the pilot noted a drop in engine RPM from 2200 to approximately 700. Since level flight could not be maintained, the pilot selected a nearby private airstrip and attempted an emergency landing. The airplane bounced as it touched down on the sod runway, and the pilot noticed an increase in engine rpm. He realized that he could not get the airplane down before the end of the runway; he then elected to attempt a go-around. The airplane climbed to the height of trees on the departure end of the runway and settled into the trees. Examination of the airplane disclosed that electrical tape was lodged in the carburetor induction system. The examination also disclosed that someone had wrapped black electrical tape around the flexible duct material between the induction air filter and the carburetor. A review of approved aircraft maintenance procedures failed to disclose a repair procedure that would allow the use of electrical tape to repair the air duct. A review of normal aircraft performance data disclosed that approximately 600 feet of ground roll was needed for a landing; approximately 1,200 feet of runway was needed to land over a 50 foot obstacle. The pilot reported that the sod runway was 2,070 feet long. ## Factual narrative On May 22, 1997, at 1745 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151, N8392C, collided with trees several hundred feet north of the departure end of runway 03 at the Johnson Airport in Sophia, North Carolina. The business flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Hickory, North Carolina, at 1700. According to the pilot, while flying at 3000 feet enroute to Raleigh, North Carolina, the engine RPM dropped from 2200 to approximately 700. Since level flight could not be maintained, the pilot selected a nearby private airstrip and attempted an emergency landing. The pilot said that the airplane bounced as it touched down on the sod runway, and he noticed an increase in engine rpm. The pilot also stated that he realized that he could not get the airplane down before the end of the runway, and decided to go around. The airplane climbed to the height of the trees, before it settled into the trees. Examination of the airplane disclosed that electrical tape was lodged in the carburetor induction system. The engine examination also disclosed that someone had wrapped black electrical tape around the flexible duct material between the induction air filter and the carburetor. A review of the aircraft maintenance logs failed to disclose when or who performed the repair on the air duct. A review of approved aircraft maintenance procedures failed to disclose a repair procedure that would allow the use of electrical tape to repair the air duct. A review of normal aircraft performance data disclosed that approximately 600 feet of ground roll is needed for a landing; approximately 1,200 feet of runway is needed to land over a 50 foot obstacle. The pilot reported that the sod runway was 2,070 feet long. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8392C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8392C-1998-02-11), registration cancelled 1998-02-11, S/N 287615101 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-761501 - Airframe hours: 2800 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 151 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: David M Fellman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1997, 60 hours before - Departed: HKY, HICKORY, NC - Destination: RDU, RALEIGH, NC - Airport: 72A, Johnson, runway 3, 2,070 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 487 total, 386 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GSO, 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 19970522011749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970522011749A), May 22, 1997: Piper PA28151, Archdale, NC, Substantial damage. Lost partial power. Elected land on private strip. Overshot strip. Hit trees on go around. Tape blocked airintake. (-23) aircraft departed hickory, NC at 1700.… 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.