# NTSB FTW94LA095: Piper PA-22-150, N8645D, Olla, LA, March 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1994, 17:34 local (23:34 UTC)
- Place: Olla, LA
- Coordinates: 31.889142, -92.229125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8891&lon=-92.2291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19009
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19009/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA095

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A BLOCKED FUEL LINE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,line - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fuel system,line - foreign object
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE LOST ENGINE POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB AT 200 FEET AGL. HE FURTHER REPORTED THAT DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK SOME TREES AND HE LOST CONTROL. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE REAR FUEL LINE WAS PLUGGED.  THE RIGHT FUEL TANK CONTAINED 10 GALLONS OF FUEL.

## Factual narrative

On March 13, 1994, at 1734 central standard time, a Piper PA-22- 150, N8645D, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Olla, Louisiana.  The private pilot received minor injuries, while his passenger escaped uninjured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local area flight.

In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power, at less than 200 feet, while taking off.  He further stated that he attempted to land one-half mile northeast of the airport in a field when the airplane clipped the top of trees and he lost control.

An examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector found that the rear fuel line was plugged.  The right fuel tank contained 10 gallons of fuel.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8645D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8645D-1997-03-24), registration cancelled 1997-03-24, S/N 225853 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5853
- Airframe hours: 2063
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Finley, Howard B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1994, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 226 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 36 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 19940313004979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940313004979A), Mar 13, 1994: Piper PA22150, Olla, LA, Destroyed. Experienced power failure, clipped top of trees and pilot lost control, landed in a field.

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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