# NTSB CHI94LA295: Schreiber-Stitts SA-3B, N79GJ, Muscatine, IA, August 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 1994, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Muscatine, IA - Coordinates: 41.410579, -91.070594 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4106&lon=-91.0706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9651 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA295 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9651/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA295 ## Probable cause A LOOSE INTAKE MANIFOLD PIPE ON THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE WHICH RESULTED FROM IMPROPER MAINTENANCE. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE BUILDER/PILOT IMPROPERLY INSTALLING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD PIPE AND THE ALTERNATE LANDING AREA'S HIGH VEGETATION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - induction air control,intake manifold - loose (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE'S ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT BUT THE ENGINE LOST MORE POWER AND THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND ON A GRAVEL ROAD. HE SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 200 FEET ABOVE THE ROAD WHEN HE NOTICED A VEHICLE ON THE ROAD THAT WAS COMING TOWARD HIM. HE SAID HE DECIDED TO LAND ONTO A SOY BEAN FIELD NEXT TO THE ROAD. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AS IT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE FIELD. AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE'S NUMBER FOUR INTAKE PIPE WAS NOT SECURELY FASTENED TO THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 1994, at 0900 central daylight time (cdt), a Schrieber-Stitts SA-3B, NX79GJ, registered to Robert L Schrieber of Muscatine, Iowa, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an off airport forced landing. The pilot reported a partial power loss during initial climbout after takeoff. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Muscatine, Iowa, at 0855 cdt. According to the pilot's written statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, his airplane's engine experienced a partial loss of power as the airplane passed through 300 to 500 feet above the ground. He said he began a turn to return to the airport when the engine lost more power. He said he could not maintain altitude and chose a gravel road to land on. The pilot said he lined up on the road for his landing. When the airplane was about 200 feet above the ground, the pilot said he noticed a vehicle coming toward him. He said he changed his landing area to a bean field next to the road. The airplane contacted three foot high soy bean plants just before touch down. The airplane nosed over after touch down according to the pilot. An on-scene examination of the airplane revealed that the number four intake pipe had not seated properly against the engine's cylinder. The owner's written statement said the "Loose intake tube [caused] number four cylinder to run lean and intake valve to stick open." A Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector stated, "The number four intake pipe... was removed and it was noted that the intake pipe seating marks in gasket... did not show a firm circumferential impression." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79GJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79GJ-1996-08-20), registration cancelled 1996-08-20, S/N C151 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHREIBER-STITTS SA-3B - Registry model: [Jablonski Glenn D STITS SA3B](https://openairdocs.org/model/jablonski-glenn-d-stits-sa3b) (registry code 8651108) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 151 - Airframe hours: 133 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290G 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert L Schreiber - Registered owner: Robert L Schreiber - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1994, 7 hours before - Airport: MUT, Muscatine Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 261 total, 228 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MLI, 2 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 19940821048159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940821048159A), Aug 21, 1994: Amtrsa STITSSA3B, Muscatine, IA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Turned back tried land gravel road. Blocked. Switched soy bean field. Intake pipe was loose 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.