# NTSB ATL98LA052: Piper PA-28-180, N1404T, Fayetteville, NC, February 22, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 1998, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Fayetteville, NC - Coordinates: 34.959091, -78.899307 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9591&lon=-78.8993&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3977 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3977/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA052 ## Probable cause fuel system contamination (rubber shavings), which led to blockage of a fuel line, fuel starvation, loss of engine power, and a collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - fuel system - contamination,other than water (cause) - fuel system,line - blocked(total) (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis According to the pilot, he made five or six touch-and-go landings on runway 4, then switched from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank. The airplane appeared to continue running normally until after he turned onto his final approach. When he attempted to make a power adjustment by advancing the throttle on final approach, the engine did not respond. The pilot switched fuel tanks and turned on the electric boost pump, but there was no change in engine response. The pilot then made an emergency landing in an unprepared area about one mile south of the airport and was damaged. According to an FAA inspector, he examined the engine and determined everything appeared normal. He then examined the carburetor and found fuel. The gascolator bowl had no fuel in it. After finding fuel in both fuel tanks, the FAA inspector examined the fuel lines for blockage. He discovered rubber shavings in the left main fuel supply line which were obstructing fuel flow from the left tank. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 1998, at 1200 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N1404T, collided with the ground while on approach to Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field Airport in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated at the Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field Airport at 1100. According to the pilot, he made five or six touch and go landings on runway 4. On his last attempt, he switched from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank. The airplane appeared to be running normally. He stated he was then told by Fayetteville tower to extend his downwind leg. When he turned onto his final approach, the pilot stated the engine did not respond when he added power. He switched fuel tanks and put on the electric boost pump, with no change in the engine response. The pilot stated he then selected a clearing in which to make an emergency landing. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the engine failed on final approach to runway 4. The airplane landed in a field one mile south of the airport. The inspector examined the engine and determined that the spark plugs appeared normal, and the cylinders produced normal compression. He then examined the carburetor and found fuel. The gascolator bowl had no fuel in it. After finding fuel in both fuel tanks, the FAA inspector examined the fuel lines for blockage. He discovered rubber shavings in the left main fuel supply hose which were obstructing the fuel flow from the left tank. The inspector stated the AN fitting was either installed improperly or it split the interior of the hose, allowing the rubber to mat up and restrict the fuel flow. The damage also could have occurred during maintenance. A review of the maintenance log books revealed that maintenance on the fuel system was completed in June of 1997. The FAA inspector submitted a Malfunction and Defect Report for the fuel hose. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1404T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1404T-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 28-7205294, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7205294 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lawrence Smith - Registered owner: Nancy C Faubel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FAY, FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Airport: FAY, Fayetteville Rgnl/Grannis, runway 4, 7,204 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 675 total, 13 in this make and model, 584 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FAY, 1 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 19980222001579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980222001579A), Feb 22, 1998: Piper PA28180, Fayetteville, NC, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Crash landed short. Found fuel line clogged with debris. And fitting improporly installed. (-23) fuel hose found to be obstructed prior to… ## Other investigations on N1404T (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 IAD78DKM14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78DKM14), Jun 26, 1978: Piper PA-28 (N1404T), Greensboro, NC, 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.