# NTSB CHI97LA286: Piper PA-22, N9228D, Shields, KS, September 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 1997, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Shields, KS - Coordinates: 38.479557, -100.45948 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4796&lon=-100.4595&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 April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA286 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10696/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA286 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power from undetermined reasons. ## 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) - maintenance,annual inspection - exceeded - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - crop - Nose over, emergency landing after takeoff ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff initial climb from a farm field, at an altitude of 150 to 200 feet agl, a loss of engine power occurred. He landed the airplane straight ahead in a sunflower field. The airplane rolled about 55 feet prior to the nose gear collapsing and the airplane nosing over. The last annual on the airplane was in 1989. The accident occurred during a ferry flight. The airplane had been started and allowed to run periodically over the last several years. The pilot and two mechanics worked on the airplane for about six hours prior to the accident flight during which time the fuel tanks were flushed and fresh fuel was added. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 1997, at 1800 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 22, N9228D, flown by a commercial pilot collided with a sunflower crop and nosed over following a loss of engine power on takeoff from a farm field in Shields, Kansas. The airplane was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 on a ferry flight to Topeka, Kansas, where it was to have an annual inspection, with an intermediate stop a Dighton, Kansas for fuel. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that upon reaching an altitude of 150 - 200 feet after taking off on a freshly mowed farm field, the engine lost power. He stated that he applied a second notch of flaps and landed the airplane straight ahead in a field containing 8 foot high sunflowers. He reported the landing was very smooth and after about 55 feet of ground run, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane gently nosed over. The pilot reported that the airplane's last annual inspection was in 1989. The airplane had not been flown; however, the owner would start the airplane every month until he passed away about three years prior to the accident. The accident pilot stated that he then ran the airplane every two or three months up until a year prior to the accident. The airplane had been hangared for about the last year. The pilot reported that he and two mechanics worked on the airplane for approximately six hours prior to the accident. He stated they flushed the fuel system, put in fresh fuel, and ran the airplane up three times prior to the takeoff. It ran good all three times. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9228D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9228D), registered now, S/N 22-6288, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-6288 - Airframe hours: 11053 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gill Farms, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1989, 5 hours before - Destination: K65, DIGHTON, KS - Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 18, 1,300 × 20 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; military, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,357 total, 28 in this make and model, 5,739 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19970906025689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970906025689A), Sep 6, 1997: Piper PA22160, Sheilds, KS, Substantial damage. Lost power after leaving farm field. Landed tall sunflowers. Nosed over. Idled 8YRS. Had flushed refueled tanks. 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.