# NTSB BFO91LA052: Piper PA-22-150, N6904B, Elkins, WV, June 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1991, 20:04 local (Jun 1, 1991, 00:04 UTC)
- Place: Elkins, WV
- Location: 38.8789° N, 79.8698° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from ELKINS/RANDOLPH COUNTY (JENNINGS RANDOLPH FLD) (EKN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8789&lon=-79.8698&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 December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11680
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11680/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA052

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT HAD COMPLETED TWO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS ON RUNWAY 32 AND HAD JUST LIFTED OFF THE RUNAY FOR A THIRD, WHEN THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPED RUNNING. HE QUICKLY CHECKED HIS FUEL GAUGES, MAGNETO SWITCH AND SWITCHED THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR WITH NO SUCESS. SINCE THE TERRAIN STRAIGHT AHEAD WAS UNSUITABLE, HE ELECTED TO MAKE A 100 DEGREE GLIDING LEFT TURN AND LANDED IN AN OPEN AREA. AT THE END OF HIS 200 FOOT GROUND ROLL, THE AIRCRAT STRUCK A FENCE POST AND TIPPED ON IT'S NOSE AND CAME TO A STOP INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6904B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6904B-2017-02-28), registration cancelled 2017-02-28, S/N 224176 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-4176
- Airframe hours: 4261
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Allen D Chenoweth
- Registered owner: Allen D Chenoweth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1990, 42 hours before
- Departed: EKN, ELKINS, WV
- Airport: EKN, Elkins-Randolph Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 33 total, 33 in this make and model, 12 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910531018359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910531018359A), May 31, 1991: Piper PA22150, Elkins, WV, Substantial damage. Reported engine quit on climbout. Nosed over on forced landing after hitting fence in open field. No engine defects

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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