# NTSB FTW83LA156: Piper PA-22-150, N1841P, Ramon, NM, March 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1983, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Ramon, NM
- Coordinates: 33.640586, -104.380935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6406&lon=-104.3809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA156

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other
  - maintenance - inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,muffler - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - fuselage,crew compartment - fumes (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command
  - incapacitation(carbon monoxide), pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - performed, passenger
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1841P-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 22-2621, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- 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
- Serial number: 22-2621
- Airframe hours: 1375
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830315008219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830315008219A), Mar 15, 1983: Piper PA22150, Ramon, NM, Substantial damage. Pilot and front seat passenger overcome by monoxide. Leaky muffler. Rear seat passenger aided in landing aircraft.

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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