# NTSB ERA12LA522: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2970G, Hernando Beach, FL, August 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 2012, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Hernando Beach, FL - Coordinates: 28.426389, -82.693054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4264&lon=-82.6931&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Continental Motors, Inc. - NTSB case key (mKey): 84760 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA522 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84760/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84760 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA522 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to a blockage of the No. 6 cylinder fuel injector nozzle. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel injector nozzle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057313): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057313/cases.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057313/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Piper PA-28RT-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=7102817), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis While en route over the Gulf of Mexico, the pilot reported that the engine began to run rough and experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot declared an emergency, searched for a place to land, and performed a gear-up landing in the water. The pilot egressed and was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. A postaccident engine examination revealed that the No.6 cylinder fuel injection nozzle was blocked with debris. After the fuel nozzle was cleaned and reinstalled, an engine run was performed. The engine started and ran smoothly, accelerated to maximum power without hesitation, and was shut down with no anomalies noted. It is likely that a small particle of debris in the fuel became lodged in the No. 6 fuel injection nozzle, which resulted in the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 2012, about 1140 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2970G, was substantially damaged following a ditching into the Gulf of Mexico, near Hernando Beach, Florida. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX), Knoxville, Tennessee, about 0800 with the intended destination of St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida. According to the pilot, he fueled the airplane prior to the accident flight. While en route, the pilot maneuvered the airplane around several thunderstorms before the engine began to run rough and experienced a partial loss of power over the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot declared an emergency, searched for a place to land, and located a few islands nearby. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot performed a gear-up landing in the water, and the airplane came to rest in approximately 3 to 4 feet of water. The pilot egressed and was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard around 1215. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) third-class medical certificate was issued June 28, 2011. He reported 4,660 total hours of flight time, of which 3,085 were in the accident airplane make and model. According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1979 and registered to the owner in 2006. It was equipped with a Continental Motors TSIO-360-FB1B, 200-horsepower engine. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on September 16, 2011. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 10,507 total hours of flight time. The 1053 recorded weather observation at Hernando County Airport (BKV), Brooksville, Florida, located approximately 15 miles to the east of the accident location, included wind from 180 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 28 degrees C, dew point 24 degrees C; barometric altimeter 30.09 inches of mercury, and a remark of distant lightning to the north and northwest of the airport. The airplane was recovered from the water two days after the accident and moved to a salvage facility, where an engine examination was conducted on September 7, 2012. The engine remained intact and exhibited signs of salt water immersion. The variable pitch propeller was still attached, and all three blades displayed minor bending. The spark plugs were removed prior to inspection of the engine. The spark plugs showed signs of salt water immersion and of normal wear. The internal magneto timing could not be verified due to salt water damage. A visual inspection of the fuel supply line fittings revealed significant amounts of rust. The first attempt to start the engine resulted inintermittent firing. The spark plugs were removed and cleaned of salt water contamination. The engine was started a second time, which resulted in rough-running operation at a maximum power of 2,000 rpm with the fuel mixture set to full rich. A third engine run was performed, and the engine continued to run rough. Further examination revealed that the No.6 cylinder was cold. The No.6 cylinder spark plugs were removed, cleaned, and reinstalled. The No.6 fuel injection nozzle was removed and found to be clogged with debris. The nozzle was cleaned and reinstalled into the cylinder. The fourth and fifth engine runs resulted in smooth operation, and the engine reached a maximum of 2,600 rpm. The aircraft was equipped with a JBI Engine Analyzer unit. Readout of the unit at the NTSB Recorders Laboratory showed that for undetermined reasons the unit did not record the final stages of the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2970G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2970G-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N 28R-7931283, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7931283 - Airframe hours: 10507 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Turbo Arrow Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Turbo Arrow Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 2011 - Departed: DKX, Knoxville, TN - Destination: PIE, St. Petersburg, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 21, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 4,660 total, 3,085 in this make and model, 4,433 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: BKV, 15 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 20120822020239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120822020239A), Aug 22, 2012: Piper PA-28RT-201T, Destroyed. The pilot stated that his engine began to run rough and was losing power. He was in contact with ATC and they informed him of his closest airports. Unable to… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84760. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384190&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - JPI Data from Accident Flight (item 2, PNG, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388689&FileExtension=png&FileName=JPI%20Data%20from%20Accident%20Flight-Master - Maintenance Log Excerpts (item 3, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384191&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Log%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Engine Field Run Report (item 4, .PDF, 974 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Field%20Run%20Report-Redacted.PDF - BKV Weather Observations (item 5, .PDF, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=BKV%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384195&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389441&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Evidence Control Form - JPI (item 8, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389881&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form%20-%20JPI-Master.PDF - Photo 1: View of Airplane After Recovery (Courtesy of FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 611 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40388692&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20After%20Recovery%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Video of engine run after fuel injector nozzle was cleaned. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384540&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Video%20of%20engine%20run%20after%20fuel%20injector%20nozzle%20was%20cleaned.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.