# NTSB ATL98LA131: Piper PA 22-150, N8027D, Lancaster, SC, September 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 24, 1998, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, SC - Coordinates: 34.999931, -80.939674 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9999&lon=-80.9397&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 July 26, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44021 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44021/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=44021 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA131 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factor were conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - water (contributing factor) - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during takeoff on runway 14, and at 200 feet above ground level, the 'engine went to idle as if the throttle had been pulled full out.' He stated that he pitched the airplane for a glide speed of 65 miles per hour. He switched from the right fuel tank to the left and applied carburetor heat. The pilot stated that the engine regained power and he climbed back to 200 feet. He turned back towards the runway and again power was lost. The pilot ditched the airplane into a lake. According to the FAA, examination of the airplane following its recovery from the lake found the left fuel tank damaged and empty, the fuel selector was on the left tank, the carburetor was cracked in half, and the right fuel tank was full of what appeared to be fuel and water. A review of weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The out side air temperature was 70 degrees and the dew point was 64 degrees. ## Factual narrative On September 24, 1998, about 1230 Eastern Standard Time, a Piper PA 22-150, N8027D, collided with water during an emergency landing following an engine failure immediately after takeoff at the Kirk Air Base in Lancaster, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by the Airline Transport Pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, during takeoff on runway 14, at 200 feet above ground level the "engine went to idle as if the throttle had been pulled full out." He stated that he pitched the airplane for a glide speed of 65 miles per hour. He switched from the right fuel tank to the left and applied carburetor heat. The pilot stated that the engine regained power and he climbed back to 200 feet. He turned back towards the runway and again power was lost. The pilot ditched the airplane into a lake, which runs parallel with the runway, substantially damaging the airplane. According to the FAA, on September 25, 1998, examination of the airplane following its recovery from the lake found structural damage to both wings and struts, the forward fuselage, engine cowling and nose gear. The left fuel tank was damaged and empty, the fuel selector was on the left tank and the carburetor was cracked in half. According to the FAA Inspector, the right fuel tank was full of what appeared to be fuel and water, and there was continuity of the throttle cable. Additionally, there were no witnesses to the accident and no law enforcement or emergency services responded. On October 1, 1998, the FAA further examined the engine with the assistance of a Inspection Authorization aircraft mechanic. During the examination, positive fuel flow was established from each fuel tank to the carburetor. Compression was normal for each cylinder. Continuity was established throughout the engine including the accessory gearbox. There was no damage noted to the engine ignition system and no blockage was observed in the air intake or engine exhaust. A review of weather data from the nearest reporting facility disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. The out side air temperature was 70 degrees and the dew point was 64 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8027D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8027D-2001-12-20), registration cancelled 2001-12-20, S/N 22-5553, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA 22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-553 - Airframe hours: 2470 - Engines: Lycoming O320-B2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Patrick A. Patterson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1998, 6 hours before - Departed: T73 - Destination: 29J, ROCKHILL, SC - Airport: T73, Kirk, runway 14, 2,600 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,800 total, 6 in this make and model, 6,700 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: T73, 2 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 19980924035829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980924035829A), Sep 24, 1998: Piper PA22150, Lancaster, SC, Substantial damage. The pilot-in-command stated that shortly after take off, at approximately 200 feet, the aircraft lost power. The pilot attempted to return to the airport,… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2001, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=44021. 957 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 451 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479500&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 345 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479501&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Front of aircraft. (item 3, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40142746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Front%20of%20aircraft.-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Right side of aircraft. (item 4, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40142747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Right%20side%20of%20aircraft.-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Left side of aircraft. (item 5, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40142748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Left%20side%20of%20aircraft.-Master.PDF 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.