# NTSB FTW87LA050: Piper PA-22-108, N4862Z, Terrel, TX, January 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1987, 10:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Terrel, TX
- Coordinates: 32.730846, -96.289009 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7308&lon=-96.2890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA050

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - mixture control,push/pull rod - vibration (cause)
  - mixture - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND DUE TO CROSS WINDS AND EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL STARVATION WHEN THE MIXTURE CONTROL VIBRATED OUT TO THE SHUTOFF POSITION. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL PRIOR TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4862Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4862Z-1990-02-08), registration cancelled 1990-02-08, S/N 228438 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-8438
- Airframe hours: 3139
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-D 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wallace Aero,Inc.
- Registered owner: Wallace Aero Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TAL, TERREL, TX
- Airport: TRL, Terrell Mun., runway 18, 3,000 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 937 total, 3 in this make and model, 936 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAL, 20 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 19870129001309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870129001309A), Jan 29, 1987: Piper PA22108, Tennel, TX, Substantial damage. The engine lost power during go around and the aircraft s truck trees. Suspect throttle and mixture control misuse

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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