# NTSB BFO92LA083: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8141H, Greenville, VA, July 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1992, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, VA
- Coordinates: 38.000473, -79.149063 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0005&lon=-79.1491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 92-12-10](https://openairdocs.org/ad/92-12-10) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11806/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA083

## Probable cause

THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE FUEL INJECTOR FUEL LINE RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,line - fractured (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE AT 12,000 FEET MSL THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A FIELD IN GREENVILLE, VA. THE ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL INJECTOR LINE BETWEEN THE FUEL MANIFOLD AND THE NUMBER 6 CYLINDER FUEL NOZZLE WAS BROKEN. A METALLURGICAL STUDY REVEALED THAT THE SEPARATION OF THE FUEL LINE OCCURRED BY METAL FATIGUE. THE SAFETY BOARD RECOMMENDED TO THE FAA, RECOMMENDATION A-29-10, ON MARCH 2, 1992, THAT AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (A) BE PUBLISHED ADDRESSING THE FUEL LINE FAILURES. THE FAA ISSUED AN AD (92-12-10), ON JUNE 5, 1992, REQUIRING A VISUAL INSPECTION, WITHIN 10 FLIGHT HOURS, OF EACH FUEL INJECTOR FUEL LINE, AND LOOK FOR MISSING SUPPORT CLAMPS, OR SUPPORT CLAMPS THAT ARE NOT SECURE AND ARE NOT PROPERLY SUPPORTING THE FUEL LINE. THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE HAD NOT YET ACCRUED 10 FLIGHT HOURS SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE AD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8141H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-80290042
- Airframe hours: 2357
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Butler Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Mark P. Vincent
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 9, 1992, 40 hours before
- Departed: CRE, N. MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Destination: BTP, BUTLER, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 338 total, 68 in this make and model, 319 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHO, 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 19920701023799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920701023799A), Jul 1, 1992: Piper PA32R301T, Greenville, VA, Substantial damage. Fuel line broke. Crash landed hilly field.1972 service bulletin recommended extra fuel line clamp. None was installed

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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