# NTSB CHI91LA161: Piper PA-22-160, N2906Z, Mankato, MN, May 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1991, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Mankato, MN
- Location: 44.1711° N, 93.9756° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mankato, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1711&lon=-93.9756&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 March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA161

## Probable cause

PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO AN UNLOCKED ENGINE PRIMER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THAT THE PRE TAKEOFF CHECK LIST WAS NOT FOLLOWED BY THE PILOT AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,primer system - unlocked (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED.  AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN A FARM FIELD WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAULTY ENGINE PRIMER LOCK.  WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUN UP AND THE PRIMER BECAME UNLOCKED, THE ENGINE RPM WOULD DROP, WHICH CONINCIDED WITH THE PILOT'S STATEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2906Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2906Z-1994-02-11), registration cancelled 1994-02-11, S/N 226877 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-6877
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steve/Chris Napier
- Departed: MKT, MANKATO, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 105 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MKT, 1 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 19910521016759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910521016759A), May 21, 1991: Piper PA22160, Mankato, MN, Substantial damage. Engine lost partial power. Nosed over on forced landing beyond runway. Engine primer became unlocked.

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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