# NTSB CEN22LA121: Piper PA22, N7337D, Furlow, AR, February 14, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 14, 2022, 16:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Furlow, AR
- Coordinates: 34.830933, -91.995603
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8309&lon=-91.9956&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104640/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104640
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA121

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-22-150, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102210), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported the takeoff and initial climb into the traffic pattern were uneventful. However, the engine began to run rough while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot immediately changed the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank, verified that the carburetor heat was on, and turned the airplane toward the runway. The pilot’s efforts to restore engine power were not successful. The airplane was not able to glide to the runway, and the pilot executed a forced landing into a wooded area. Postaccident examination revealed that the left fuel tank was intact and the right fuel tank appeared to be compromised. A distinct fuel odor was present at the accident site and fuel was observed leaking from the left tank. The engine carburetor bowl contained minimal fuel, and the carburetor accelerator pump did not contain any fuel. No other anomalies with respect to the engine were observed. The pilot recalled that the left and right fuel tanks contained about 4 gallons and 7 gallons, respectively, before takeoff. While it is possible that the pilot’s decision to change to the tank containing less fuel resulted in unporting of the fuel tank inlet and the subsequent loss of engine power, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the loss of power or the initial engine roughness.

## Factual narrative

On February 14, 2022, about 1640 central standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, N7337D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Furlow, Arkansas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot recalled that the left and right fuel tanks contained about 4 gallons and 7 gallons of fuel, respectively, before takeoff. He reported the takeoff and initial climb into the traffic pattern were uneventful. When the airplane was on the downwind leg, abeam the approach end of the runway, the engine began to run rough. The pilot immediately changed the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank, verified that the carburetor heat was on, and turned the airplane toward the runway. The engine subsequently lost power completely. The airplane was not able to glide to the runway, and the pilot executed a forced landing into a wooded area, which resulted in damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. A postaccident airframe examination revealed that the left fuel tank was intact, and the right fuel tank appeared to be compromised. First responders noted a significant odor consistent with fuel while on scene. A postrecovery engine examination revealed that the carburetor bowl contained minimal fuel, the accelerator pump appeared functional but did not contain any fuel, and the fuel inlet screen was clean. No other anomalies with respect to the engine were observed. The pilot noted that on two occasions before the most recent annual inspection, the engine ran “very badly” for about 30 seconds and then immediately cleared up. The accident occurred during the pilot’s first flight in the airplane following the inspection. The inspection determined the muffler baffles were loose, and a new muffler was installed. An examination of the recently installed muffler did not reveal any anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7337D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7337D-2023-11-04), registration cancelled 2023-11-04, S/N 22-5126 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA22 (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: 22-5126
- Year built: 1957
- Airframe hours: 2429.8
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2022, 0.8 hours before
- Departed: 1AR9, Lonoke, AR
- Destination: 1AR9, Lonoke, AR
- Airport: 1AR9, Country Air Estates, runway 18, 3,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 259 total, 128 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 12.6 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 20220214001919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220214001919A), Feb 14, 2022: Piper PA-22-150, Furlow, AR, Substantial damage. At approximately 4:45 p.m. CST on Monday, February 14, 2022, N7337D departed runway 18 at Country Air Estates (1A9R) for what was intended to be a single trip…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104640. 8.3 MB in all.

- Pilot statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13409179&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Stmt%20(to%20FAA)%20--%20CEN22LA121-Rel.pdf
- Supplemental pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14981941&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Jay%20Smith%20%20--%2021Mar2022-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14921915&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20--%20CEN22LA121_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Engine examination summary (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13422934&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Summary%20--%20CEN22LA121_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Conversation summary -- recovery operator (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13414068&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20--%20Don%20Adamson%20--%2017Feb2022-Rel.pdf
- Statement -- mechanic on-scene (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14269065&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RalphChapmanstatement%20regarding%20N7337D_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Maintenance records -- annual inspection (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13415159&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20--%20Annual%20Insp_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photos (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14978795&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN22LA121-Rel.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.

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