# NTSB FTW02LA251: Piper PA-28-151, N43473, Masterson, TX, August 8, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2002, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Masterson, TX - Coordinates: 35.630626, -101.960975 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6306&lon=-101.9610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 55656 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55656/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA251 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a blockage of the carburetor. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the emergency landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total) - fuel system - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 1,000-hour commercial pilot reported that the engine lost power during cruise flight. A detailed inspection of the engine revealed that an aluminum sliver was found lodged between the needle valve and carburetor housing seat, resulting in a loss of engine power. The pilot did not return a completed NTSB Form 6120.5 as requested by the investigator-in-charge. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2002, at 1600 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151 single-engine airplane, N43473, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Masterson, Texas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the Perry Lefors Field Airport (PPA), near Pampa, Texas, approximately 1500. The FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported that the 1,000-hour pilot experienced a loss of engine power and landed in a rocky pasture east of Masterson, Texas. The right wing spar, main landing gear attachment fittings, and the engine firewall were structurally damaged. A detailed inspection of the Lycoming O-320-E3D engine revealed that an aluminum sliver, consistent with a piece of thread which was found missing on the carburetor housing boss, was found between the needle valve and carburetor housing seat, preventing unrestricted operation of the needle valve, which resulted in the fuel starvation of the engine. Despite several attempts by the Investigator-In-Charge to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.5) from the pilot, one was not obtained. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43473](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43473-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 28-7415504, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7415504 - Airframe hours: 4000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E3D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cecil Martin - Registered owner: Stephen E. Martin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PPA, Pampa, TX - Airport: PPA, Perry Lefors Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg ## 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 20020808022559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020808022559A), Aug 8, 2002: Piper PA28151, Masterson, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 08, 2002, at approximately 1600 central daylight time, Mr. Martin, a commercial rated pilot, performed an emergency off field landing due to a… 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.