# NTSB CHI93LA278: Piper PA-22-150, N6723B, West Plains, MO, July 26, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1993, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: West Plains, MO - Coordinates: 36.739837, -91.85913 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7398&lon=-91.8591&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 August 17, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9251 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9251/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA278 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - none suitable - Fire, other ## Analysis IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT 150 AGL, THE PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO RESTART THE ENGINE WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE PILOT THEN TURNED THE AIRCRAFT LEFT TO AVOID SOME TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN A THICKET OF 6 FOOT BUSHES AND BLACKBERRY BRIERS TO SOFTEN THE IMPACT. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH AIRFRAME, ENGINE, OR ACCESSORIES. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 1993, about 1200 central daylight time, a Piper, PA22-150; N6723B, was destroyed by post-impact fire shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and one passenger were both uninjured. The local pleasure flight was originating from West Plains Municipal Airport, West Plains, Missouri in visual meteorological conditions. The flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91 had no flight plan on file. The pilot took-off on runway 36 and at 150 feet AGL the engine lost total power. The PIC checked the magnetos, mixture, carburetor heat, fuel selector, all to no avail. The pilot also tried pumping the engine primer. The PIC then turned the aircraft left to avoid some trees at the end of the runway. He landed the aircraft in a thicket of 6 foot bushes and blackberry briers to soften the impact. When the aircraft stopped, the windscreen was gone, and the pilot and passenger climbed out through the windscreen area. The wreckage was completely engulfed in flames shortly thereafter. The post-accident examination of the engine found all sparkplugs, except the lower #2 cylinder plug, fired normally. All four nuts attaching the carburetor to the engine were only hand tight, but the intake manifold gasket was in good condition. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction with airframe, engine or accessories was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6723B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6723B-2011-04-25), registration cancelled 2011-04-25, S/N 22-4056, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5640 - Airframe hours: 3800 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ron Stow - Registered owner: Ron Stow - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: UNO - Destination: M48, HOUSTON, MO - Airport: UNO, West Plains Municipal, runway 36, 4,902 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SGF, 85 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 19930726025699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930726025699A), Jul 26, 1993: Piper PA22150, West Plains, MO, Destroyed. Reported power loss on climbout. Landed in thicket. Aircraft burned. No cause for power loss found. ## Other investigations on N6723B (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 MKC67F0482](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0482), Feb 26, 1967: Piper PA-22 (N6723B), Austin, MN, 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. --- 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.