# NTSB FTW92LA129: Piper PA-22-150, N7152D, Terrell, TX, May 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1992, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Terrell, TX
- Coordinates: 32.729003, -96.290588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7290&lon=-96.2906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA129

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT WHICH LED TO HIS INATTENTION TO THE AMOUNT OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION AND A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE EXISTENCE OF THE POWER LINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SWITCHED TO THE LEFT TANK FOR HIS DESCENT TO PATTERN ALTITUDE. AT 800 FT THE ENGINE STOPPED. HE SWITCHED BACK TO THE RIGHT TANK BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE LANDING GEAR CAUGHT A POWER LINE & THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. THE LEFT TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY AND THE RIGHT TANK NEARLY FULL. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL AT THE SITE NOTED AN 'OVERWHELMING SMELL OF ALCOHOL' COMING FROM THE PILOT. THE PILOT SUBMITTED TO A PORTABLE BREATH TESTER ON-SCENE, AND IT SHOWED THE PILOT TO HAVE A 0.149% BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7152D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7152D), registered now, S/N 22-5016, built 1957 (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: 22-5016
- Airframe hours: 1840
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tristate Trim Line
- Registered owner: Tristate Trim Line
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1991, 8 hours before
- Departed: NONE, KLUTTS FIELD, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 276 total, 10 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBD, 32 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 19920511014429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920511014429A), May 11, 1992: Piper PA22150, Terrell, TX, Substantial damage. Switched to left tank on descent to land. Engine quit. Struck powerline. Left tank empty. Right tank was full.

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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