# NTSB BFO93LA055: Piper PA-28-151, N41422, Monticello, ME, March 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1993, 13:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, ME
- Location: 46.3084° N, 67.8425° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Monticello, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3084&lon=-67.8425&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA055

## Probable cause

A DISCONNECTION OF THE FUEL LINE, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.

## 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
  - fuel system,line fitting - disconnected (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE FLIGHT WAS CRUISING AT 1300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  HE STATED THAT BEFORE THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, HE NOTICED THE SMELL OF FUEL.  HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE USING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE PILOT STATED THAT A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD COVERED WITH ABOUT 5 TO 6 FEET OF SNOW.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A STEEP HILL SEPARATING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR AND TWISTING THE LEFT WING.  EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A DISCONNECTION OF THE LINE FITTING IN THE FUEL LINE LEADING TO THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41422](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41422-1995-04-13), registration cancelled 1995-04-13, S/N 287415209 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7415209
- Airframe hours: 4860
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth J Winiarski Jr.
- Registered owner: Kenneth J Winiarski Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1992, 20 hours before
- Departed: PQI, PRESQUE ISLE, ME
- Destination: HUL, HOULTON, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,078 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 998 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGR, 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 19930322005829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930322005829A), Mar 22, 1993: Piper PA28151, Monticello, ME, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Landed in deep snow and struck steep hillside. Fitting on fuel line to selector disconnected.

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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