FTW83LA156

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-22-150 · Ramon, NM · March 15, 1983

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
March 15, 1983, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
Place
Ramon, NM
Injuries
4 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Other
Aircraft
N1841PPiper PA-22-150
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19830315008219A
Case key
20837

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Airframe/component/system failure/malfunctionOther
Maintenance - inadequateCompany/operator managementFactor
Exhaust system,muffler - crackedCause
Maintenance,annual inspection - inadequateOther maintenance personnelFactor
Maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequateOther maintenance personnelFactor
Maintenance,compliance with ad - improperOther maintenance personnelFactor
Loss of control - in flightCruise - normal
Fuselage,crew compartment - fumesCause
Aircraft handling - not possiblePilot in command
Incapacitation(carbon monoxide)Pilot in commandCause
Forced landingLanding - flare/touchdown
Aircraft handling - performedPassenger
In flight collision with objectLanding - flare/touchdown
Object - fenceFactor

Analysis

The flt departed Oklahoma city, ok with en route stops planned at amarillo, TX tucumcari, NM. At tucumcari, the occupants found themselves 'staggering a little' & concluded this was from exposure to hi alt (en route 6500 ft, tucumcari, 4065 ft). After leveling at 9600 ft on the next leg of the plt, the rgt fnt seat occupant became nauseous, vomited & fell asleep. The plt began feeling sleepy & passed out (from carbon monoxide). The acft began a circling descent & efforts by the back seat occupants to revive those in the fnt seats were unsuccessful, except briefly, when the plt asked 'where is the rwy.' A 15 yr old passenger in the back seat took control of the acft by reaching between the seats, but the acft hit a fence during an emergency flare-touchdown. Multiple exhaust cracks/leaks were found in theheater-muffler. The acft had recent annual & 100 hr inspections. The mechanics reported, exhaust ad/inspections were made. The owner had performed some of his own maintenance, but had allowed operation with several discrepancies.

Aircraft

Registration
N1841P
Reported as
Piper PA-22-150
Category
Airplane
Serial number
22-2621
Airframe hours
1,375
Engine
Lycoming O-320-A1A, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Business · Part 91
Operator
Kenneth Earl Wells
Registered owner
Jimmy R. Merril
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · December 5, 1982 · 14 hours before
Departed
TCC · Tucumcari, NM
Destination
E80 · Bellen, NM

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
62
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Expired
Seat
Left
Flight hours
1,750 total · 100 in this make and model · 1,700 as pilot in command · 15 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
270° at 12 knots
Visibility
40 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
5,000 ft broken
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 19 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
ROW, 53 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.