# NTSB BFO91LA050: Piper PA-22-150, N5931D, Danville, VA, May 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1991, 18:29 local (22:29 UTC)
- Place: Danville, VA
- Coordinates: 36.579216, -79.400611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5792&lon=-79.4006&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 August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11677
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11677/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA050

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL.  CONTRIBUTING WAS NONCOMPLIANCE WITH AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  SHE TURNED BACK TO THE AIRPORT, BUT BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED ABOUT ONE HALF CUP OF WATER IN THE AIRPLANE BELLY SUMP AND IN THE CARBURETOR.  IT WAS ALSO DETERMINED THAT AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVENESS PERTAINING TO WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL CAUSED BY IMPROPER FUEL CAP SEALS WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5931D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5931D), registered now, S/N 22-4594, built 1956 (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: 22-4594
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eoanna K. Casey
- Registered owner: Eoanna K. Casey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: DAN
- Airport: DAN, Danville Municipal, runway 2, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 630 total, 250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAN, 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 19910525017489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910525017489A), May 25, 1991: Piper PA22150, Danville, VA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed in trees. Water in fuel. Leaky fuel caps. Airworthiness directive on same ignored.

## Other investigations on N5931D (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 UNK65X1141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1141), Dec 26, 1964: Piper PA22 (N5931D), Silver Lake, MN, 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.

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