# NTSB CEN12LA622: Piper PA-25-235, N7655Z, Jasper, MO, September 6, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 2012, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Jasper, MO - Coordinates: 37.336112, -94.301109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3361&lon=-94.3011&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 27, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 85001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA622 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85001/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85001 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA622 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to separation of a carburetor air box support bracket and subsequent airflow obstruction to the carburetor. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Piper PA-25-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102504), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an aerial application flight, the engine started to lose power. The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing to a field. During the precautionary landing, he observed a fence and berm ahead and added power to go over the fence; however, the engine lost all power. During the forced landing, the airplane hit the fence. The postaccident engine examination revealed that a support bracket in the carburetor air box separated and entered the carburetor. The separated piece blocked the venturi and obstructed the airflow within the engine, resulting in the subsequent loss of engine power. An examination of the remaining engine and airframe systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2012, approximately 1700 central daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7655Z, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Jasper, Missouri. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight departed Lamar Municipal Airport (KLLU), Lamar, Missouri, approximately 1630. The pilot reported that while spreading turnip seeds, the engine started to lose power. The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing to the field. During the precautionary landing, he observed a fence and berm ahead so he added power to go over the fence; however, the engine lost all power. During the forced landing, the airplane hit a fence resulting in damage to the propeller, the left main landing gear, and substantial damage to the left wing spar. The postaccident engine examination revealed that a support bracket in the carburetor air box separated and entered the carburetor. The separated piece blocked the venturi and obstructed the airflow within the engine, resulting in the subsequent loss of engine power. An examination of the remaining engine and airframe systems revealed no anomalies. The last annual inspection was completed on September 3, 2012. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examine the airplane, this support bracket would not be included in the examination and work conducted for an annual inspection and would require the removal of the carburetor air box. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7655Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7655Z-2025-03-18), registration cancelled 2025-03-18, S/N 25-3796, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-3796 - Airframe hours: 9260 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 2012 - Departed: Lamar, MO - Destination: KLLU, Lamar, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 3, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 6,180 total, 4,783 in this make and model, 5,999 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KPTS ## 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 20120906020629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120906020629A), Sep 6, 2012: Piper PA-25-235, Jasper, MO, Substantial damage. Pilot departed lamar, MO airport (llu) for aerial application work approximately 1 mile southeast of Jasper MO. During a turn to prepare for an application… ## Other investigations on N7655Z (2) 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 MKC85LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA099), May 7, 1985: Piper PA-25-235 (N7655Z), Bridgeport, NE, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW68D0297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0297), Oct 20, 1967: Piper PA-25 (N7655Z), Reed, OK, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85001. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382678&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 13-015 (item 3, .PDF, 10 photos, 944 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2013-015-Master.PDF 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.