# NTSB CHI93LA275: Piper PA-28-140, N95478, Sparta, MI, July 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1993, 11:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Sparta, MI
- Coordinates: 43.149635, -85.700538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1496&lon=-85.7005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9249
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA275
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9249/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA275

## Probable cause

the separation of the rear landing light gasket into the air induction path.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing light(s) - separation (cause)
  - induction air control/system - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole

## Analysis

THE ENGINE RAN ROUGHLY AND LOST PARTIAL POWER DURING CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF.  A LANDING LIGHT GASKET WAS FOUND CAUGHT IN THE AIRBOX SCREEN AND TRAILING INTO THE CARBURETOR.

## Factual narrative

On July 24, 1993, about 1135 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N95478, experienced partial loss of engine power during climb from takeoff at Sparta, Michigan, and landed short while attempting to return to the airport.  The private pilot and two passengers reported no injury.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions existed in the vicinity.  The local, personal flight originated about 1130 without a flight plan and operated under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot stated he had climbed about 550 feet above field elevation when the engine began to run rough and engine revolutions fell from 2350 to 1500 rpm.  He turned back toward the airport and unsuccessfully attempted various means to clear the engine.  The airplane landed short of the runway in a construction yard and struck a pole.

Examination of the airplane revealed a dislodged landing light gasket caught in the airbox screen and trailing into the carburetor as far as the throttle plate.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95478](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95478-1995-01-31), registration cancelled 1995-01-31, S/N 2825987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25987
- Airframe hours: 4702
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James R. Reeds
- Registered owner: James R. Reeds
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1993, 3 hours before
- Airport: 8D4, Sparta, runway 6, 3,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 16 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 15 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 19930724025589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930724025589A), Jul 24, 1993: Piper PA28140, Sparta, MI, Substantial damage. Lost partial power on climbout. Landed short trying return. Hit pole. Landing light dislodged gasket blocked intake

## Other investigations on N95478 (1)

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 CHI84LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA229), Jun 10, 1984: Piper PA-28-140 (N95478), Wauseon, OH, substantial damage

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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