# NTSB CHI83LA214: Piper PA-22, N3242Z, Spring Arbor, MI, May 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1983, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Spring Arbor, MI
- Coordinates: 42.199882, -84.550811 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1999&lon=-84.5508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12174/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA214

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING OFF THE ARPT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT DURING TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE ACFT HAD ABOUT 1/2 A TANK OF FUEL IN BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT TANK BEFORE TAKEOFF. THE PLT WAS USING THE RIGHT TANK FOR TAKEOFF. THE PLT HAD DONE A 180 DEGREE LEFT TURN ON THE RWY FOR TAKEOFF. THE ENGINE QUIT AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL DURING TAKEOFF. A MAINTENANCE INSPECTOR FORFAA STATES THAT 'WHEN FUEL IS BEING USED FROM A TANK ON THE OUTSIDE OF A TURN, THE ENGINE MAY QUIT.' WITH LESS THAN A FULL TANK OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK AND A TURN TO THE LEFT THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCE WOULD MOVE THE FUEL OUTWARD CAUSING AN INTERRUPTION IN THE FUEL SUPPLY. THIS LEAVES AN AIR BUBBLE IN THE FUEL LINE. WHEN THIS BUBBLE REACHES THE CARBURETOR THEENGINE QUITS. NO OTHER REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE ENGINE STOPPAGE IN THIS ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3242Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-7189
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry Marowelli
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1982
- Destination: JXN, JACKSON, MI
- Airport: Corn Stubble, runway 27, 1,600 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total, 450 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 5 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 19830515019109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830515019109A), May 15, 1983: Piper PA22160, Parma, MI, Substantial damage. Made a running 160 degree right turn on takeoff. Engine quit due to unporting fuel in the right tank in the turn.

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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