# NTSB ERA22LA417: Piper PA-28R-200, N29RM, Meridianville, AL, September 8, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 8, 2022, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Meridianville, AL · Approach to runway 36 - Coordinates: 34.84528, -86.55583 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8453&lon=-86.5558&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105937 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA417 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105937/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105937 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA417 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-200, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102811), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot under instruction entered the destination airport traffic pattern to practice takeoffs and landings. Shortly after turning onto final approach, the engine began to run rough, as if a cylinder was “missing.” The flight instructor took over control of the airplane, verifying that the fuel boost pump was on and the throttle was advanced. The engine then stopped completely; however, the propeller continued to windmill. Unable to make the runway, the flight instructor landed the airplane in a bean field short of the runway. An examination of the fuel-injected engine and fuel system did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. There was ample fuel on board for the flight, and the fuel system was not contaminated or obstructed. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On September 8, 2022, about 1320 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, N29RM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Meridianville, Alabama. The pilot under instruction and a flight instructor had minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The pilot under instruction was at the controls when the airplane entered the traffic pattern at Huntsville Executive Airport (MDQ), Meridianville, Alabama to practice takeoffs and landings. Shortly after turning onto final approach for runway 36, the engine began to run rough, as if a cylinder was “missing.” The flight instructor took over control of the airplane. He verified that the fuel boost pump was on and the throttle was advanced. The engine then stopped completely; however, the propeller continued to windmill. Unable to make it to the runway, the flight instructor landed the airplane in a bean field short of the runway. The pilots egressed the airplane and were met by first responders. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that there was substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The wreckage was recovered to the owner’s facility, where the FAA inspector examined the engine and fuel system. The inspector reported that about 30 gallons of fuel were onboard, with no evidence of water or other contaminants in the fuel tanks. The engine contained 8 quarts of clean oil. The air induction system was unobstructed. Internal engine power and valvetrain continuity was established. Suction and compression were observed on all cylinders. Valve action was correct and there was no evidence of a stuck valve. Engine control linkages were secure with no binding observed. The magnetos and ignition leads were secure. The electric fuel boost pump was energized and pumped fuel. Fuel was observed in the line to the injector manifold. The top spark plugs were normal in color and wear. The fuel injector servo was removed; it passed a diaphragm leakage check per the Lycoming troubleshooting guide. There was no internal damage and all fuel injection nozzles were unobstructed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29RM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29RM), registered now, S/N 28R-7535269, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7535269 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 9200 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Redstone Arsenal Flying Activity - Registered owner: Redstone Arsenal Flying Activity - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 23, 2022, 87 hours before - Departed: HUA, Redstone Arsenal, AL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MDQ, Huntsville Executive, runway 36, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot-rated passenger; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 205 total, 2 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 49; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, unknown; last flight review July 5, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,226 total, 68 in this make and model, 1,468 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KMDQ, 1 nm away - METAR: KMDQ 080615Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/17 A2995 RMK A02 T01790168 ## 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 20220908015399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220908015399A), Sep 8, 2022: Piper PA-28R-200, Meridianville, AL, Substantial damage. During flight training aircraft was on final approach, when the engine began to run rough, then quit. The pilot elected to land in a field. Aircraft received… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105937. 7.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14532752&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Written statement - pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 893 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14533089&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Written%20Statement%20-%20Daniel_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Written statement - flight instructor (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 233 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14532874&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20Written%20Statement%20-%20Jenkins-Rel.pdf - FAA memorandum for record - examination summary (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14533257&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20508%20FAA%20Hudgins%20-%20Examination%20Summary%20(2)-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14533198&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=7%20Photo%20Array-Rel.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.