# NTSB CHI94LA105: Piper PA-22-108, N5135Z, Lebanon, IN, March 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1994, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Lebanon, IN
- Coordinates: 40.050815, -86.470283 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0508&lon=-86.4703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA105

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. FACTORS WERE FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION AND AN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND DURING A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb
  - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A DEPARTURE CLIMB OUT THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND MADE A FORCED LANDING WHILE TRYING TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT.  ON SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION THE CARBURETOR AND PROPELLER WERE DAMAGED AND REPLACEMENTS WERE LOCATED AND INSTALLED. THE ENGINE RAN PROPERLY ON THE RIGHT, LEFT, AND BOTH MAGNETOS.   TRACES OF WATER WERE FOUND WHILE DRAINING THE FUEL TANKS.

## Factual narrative

On March 12, 1994, at 1800 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22- 108, N5135Z, registered to Wilbur W. Sterling on Carmel, Indiana, and operated by a private pilot, experienced a partial loss of engine power and made a forced landing while trying to return to runway 18 at Lebanon, Indiana.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pilot reported minor injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The flight was on departure with the intended destination of Westfield, Indiana, at the time of the accident.

During the accident the carburetor and propeller were broken off on impact and a replacement was located and installed.  On examination the Federal Aviation Administration inspectors found that the engine had to be restarted three times.  On a stabilized 1000 revolution per minute setting, the engine ran continuously on the left, right, and both magnetos.  Due to the airplane's condition the throttle was not advanced above 1000 rpm.  The engine appeared to operate properly.

The fuel selector was opened and traces of water was evident.  The fuel was bright gold in color and determined to be auto fuel for which the owner held a Supplemental Type Certificate.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5135Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5135Z-2013-11-04), registration cancelled 2013-11-04, S/N 22-8778 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-8778
- Airframe hours: 2723
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sterling, Wilbur W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1993
- Destination: I72, WESTFIELD, IN
- Airport: 6I4, Boone County, runway 18, 3,600 × 30 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 330 total, 121 in this make and model, 330 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19940312005049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940312005049A), Mar 12, 1994: Piper PA22108, Lebanon, IN, Substantial damage. On climbout partial power loss. Landed off airport. Found water in fuel.

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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