# NTSB CHI02LA245: Piper PA22-150, N8910D, Sauk City, WI, August 8, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 2002, 20:00 local (Aug 8, 2002, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Sauk City, WI - Coordinates: 43.25, -89.666664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2500&lon=-89.6667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA--Milwaukee FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55497 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55497/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA245 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to a seized exhaust valve. A related factor was the mowed hay field. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - seized (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported experiencing a partial loss of engine power while in cruise flight. Efforts to correct the problem with carburetor heat, switching magnetos and altering the mixture were unsuccessful. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing in a newly mowed hay field. During the landing rollout, the airplane hit a fence at the edge of the field and was substantially damaged. Available field length was at least 1,500 feet. During an engine examination, the FAA inspector on-scene noted a lack of compression and a stuck exhaust valve on the forward/right cylinder. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 2002, at 2000 central daylight time, a Piper Tri-Pacer (PA22-150), N8910D, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing attempt approximately two miles southeast of Sauk City, Wisconsin. The pilot reported that he experienced a partial loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The airplane departed from Reedsburg Municipal Airport (C35), Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and was returning to Sauk City when the engine problem occurred. The airplane is based at a turf field, an off-airport location, near Sauk City. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The second passenger reported no injuries. In his written statement, the pilot noted that the engine started to miss. He located an emergency landing site and circled the area while trying to resolve the problem. He stated that he "checked carb icing, mags and mixture." Since he was losing altitude, he decided to land in the selected field instead of attempting to reach the farm runway (where the aircraft is based). He states: "Used full flaps, cleared high wires, slipped down and touched down at about 70 mph. Pulled hard on brakes for 130~150 yards and hit farmers fence. Plane tipped forward and came to a stop." The FAA inspector on-scene performed an engine examination. He noted a lack of compression and a stuck exhaust valve on the forward/right cylinder. No other abnormalities were noted. In addition, the inspector estimated the available landing distance at approximately 1,500 feet, and described it as a newly mowed hay field. According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land rating issued July 27, 1993. His most recent third class medical certificate was issued in April 1999. The pilot reported accumulating 100 hours total time, all of which were in the same make and model as the accident aircraft, and 2 hours within the last 90 days. The FAA inspector assigned to the accident reviewed the pilot's logbook and noted that no flight review endorsements had been entered since his private pilot certificate was issued. Weather conditions at the scene were reported by the pilot as clear, 15 miles visibility and calm winds. Conditions at the Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), Madison, Wisconsin, 16 nm to the southeast, at 1953 cdt, were reported as clear, 10 miles visibility and winds from 050 deg at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8910D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8910D), registered now, S/N 22-6066 (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: 22-6066 - Airframe hours: 2000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 Series 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2002, 3 hours before - Departed: C35, Reedsburg, WI - Destination: NONE, Sauk City, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; last flight review July 27, 1993; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 50° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: MSN, 16 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 20020807033729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020807033729A), Aug 7, 2002: Piper PA22150, Saukcity, WI, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 7, 2002 at approximately 20:00 local time, david marx, pilot of a Piper tri-pacer, PA-22, N8910D experienced a rough running engine. Attempts… 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.