# NTSB CHI98LA247: Piper PA-22, N3770A, Nehawka, NE, July 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1998, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Nehawka, NE - Coordinates: 40.820716, -95.980667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8207&lon=-95.9807&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43080/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA247 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper fuel management and his improper use of the fuel tank selector. Factors were fuel starvation and crops. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor) - fuel management - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that while in cruise flight the engine suffered a loss of power. He said that in response to the loss of power, he tried the carburetor heat, switched the fuel tank selector, and checked the magnetos. He said that when power was not recovered, he switched the fuel selector back to the tank originally selected, and initiated a forced landing in a crop (corn) field. Subsequent to the accident, the fuel selector was found selected to the right fuel tank. There was no leakage from the tank. When the wings were removed to move the airplane, one quart of fuel was removed from the right tank. After the airplane was righted the engine was started and ran with no noted mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1998, at 1030 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22, N3770A, piloted by commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the terrain during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power during cruise flight, near Nehawka, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Nebraska City Municipal Airport, Nebraska City, Nebraska at 0945. The pilot indicated in written and a verbal statements to investigators that while in cruise flight the engine suffered a loss of power. He said that in response to the loss of power, he tried the carburetor heat, switched the fuel tank selector, and checked the magnetos. He said that when power was not recovered, he switched the fuel selector back to the tank originally selected, and initiated a forced landing in a crop (corn) field. Subsequent to the accident, the fuel selector was found selected to the right fuel tank. The airplane was inverted and there was no fuel leakage from the fuel cap on that tank, although fuel was leaking out of the cap on the left tank. There was no fuel on the ground around the right tank or found in the foliage near the wreckage. When the wings were removed to move the airplane, one quart of fuel was removed from the right tank. After the airplane was righted the engine was started and ran with no noted mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3770A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3770A), registered now, S/N 22-2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-2012 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Keith R Balfour - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PMV, NEBRASKA CITY, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LNK, 30 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 19980713023619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980713023619A), Jul 13, 1998: Piper PA22, Nehawka, NE, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise low altitude. Landed in cornfield. (.4)the pilot said that while in cruise flight the engine suffered a loss of power. He said that in… 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.