# NTSB BFO95LA087: Piper PA-22-150, N3965P, South Boston, VA, August 25, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 1995, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: South Boston, VA - Coordinates: 36.70082, -78.899826 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7008&lon=-78.8998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9075 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9075/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA087 ## Probable cause LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT 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, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - stall/mush ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THAT HE TOOK OFF FROM RUNWAY 36, THEN MADE A LEFT TURN. DURING THE CLIMBING TURN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT STATED THAT BECAUSE THERE WERE NO CLEARINGS AHEAD, HE TRIED TO RETURN TO RUNWAY 5. HOWEVER, AS HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND FROM OVER TREES, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND DESCENDED TO THE RUNWAY. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 1995, at 1700 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA 22- 150, N3965P, lost engine power shortly after takeoff and collided with the runway at William M. Tuck airport, in South Boston, Virginia. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91, and the intended destination was Blanch, North Carolina. The pilot reported that he "...Departed runway 36, made [a left] turn, engine lost power, no clearings ahead. Returned to runway 5 from over trees -- stalled and fell to [the] runway." The pilot reported that he had eight gallons of fuel on board and that there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction. The airplane was examined after the accident at the accident site by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector. The examination did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3965P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3965P), registered now, S/N 22-3645, 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: 22-3645 - Airframe hours: 3667 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles S. Walters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1995, 27 hours before - Departed: W78 - Destination: BLANCH, NC - Airport: W78, William Tuck, runway 5, 2,700 × 300 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 836 total, 422 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DAN, 25 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 19950825033089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950825033089A), Aug 25, 1995: Piper PA22150, South Boston, VA, Substantial damage. Departed runway. Lost power tried for runway 05. Stalled trying clear trees. No mechanical anomalies found. 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.