# NTSB FTW79FPD35: Piper PA-22, N5968D, Abilene, TX, August 15, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 15, 1979
- Place: Abilene, TX · ABILENE, TX
- Location: 32.4487° N, 99.7331° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Abilene, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4487&lon=-99.7331&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 17, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79FPD35
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FPD35

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2930  79/8/15    ABILENE,TX          PIPER PA-22         CR-  0  0  2  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1045                    N5968D              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      AGE 28, 930 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            5 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ELMDALE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ABILENE,TX                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           HARD LANDING                                             LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           MISCELLANEOUS - FOREIGN MATERIAL AFFECTING NORMAL OPERATIONS
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: CARBURETOR
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OBSTRUCTED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER LEVEL OFF
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PIECE OF MASKING TAPE FOUND IN VENTURI OF CARB.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5968D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5968D), registered now, S/N 22-4633, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Elmdale

## 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 19790815033919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790815033919A), Aug 15, 1979: Piper PA22150, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Piece of masking tape found inside the ventura of the carburetor caused engine failure.

## Other investigations on N5968D (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI91LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA217), Jul 13, 1991: Piper PA22/20 (N5968D), Stevens Point, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM RUDDER CONTROL ROD (RUDDER CABLE BELLCRANK TORQUE TUBE) BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE INOPERATIVE…

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.

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