# NTSB FTW88LA070: Piper PA-22-108, N5542Z, Fabens, TX, February 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1988, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Fabens, TX
- Coordinates: 31.500766, -106.149337 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5008&lon=-106.1493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA070

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENG RAN ROUGH ON A PREVIOUS FLT AND HE REMOVED, CLEANED, AND REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS. HE THEN TOOK OFF AND AT A POINT SEVEN MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE ARPT, THE ENG AGAIN BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND INTERMITTENTLY. AN EMERGENCY LANDING BECAME NECESSARY AND DURING THE LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN, THE NOSE GEAR BROKE, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUSELAGE. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE AND DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED POWER LOSS. IN HIS REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT STATES THAT RUBBER PARTICLES, POSSIBLY FROM FUEL LINES, WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL. THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED ON AUTO FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5542Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5542Z-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 229333 (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: 22-9333
- Airframe hours: 2901
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rockford Hall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 1987, 146 hours before
- Departed: E35
- Destination: TX04, EL PASO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 387 total, 223 in this make and model, 324 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 13 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 19880223003349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880223003349A), Feb 23, 1988: Piper STCPA22, Fabens, TX, Substantial damage. Rough engine and intermittent power, crash landed in desert terrain. Exact cause unknown. Some fuel contamination.

## Other investigations on N5542Z (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 UNK64X2843](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2843), Jul 15, 1964: Piper PA22 (N5542Z), Anderson, IN, substantial damage

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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