# NTSB LAX95LA235: Piper PA-22-160, N2820Z, Payson, AZ, July 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1995, 14:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Payson, AZ - Coordinates: 34.189083, -111.169219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1891&lon=-111.1692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29136 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29136/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA235 ## Probable cause a loss of power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB AND COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE PURCHASED 20 GALLONS OF FUEL FROM THE AIRPORT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. RESPONDING FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL STATED THAT THEY TURNED OFF THE FUEL VALVE TO CONTROL A FUEL LINE LEAK AFTER THE ACCIDENT. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND REPORTED FINDING NO DISCREPANCIES. FUEL SAMPLES FROM THE AIRCRAFT TANKS AND CARBURETOR, AND FROM THE AIRPORT FUEL TRUCK USED TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT, WERE TAKEN FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS. ACCORDING TO THE LABORATORY REPORT, THE FUEL SAMPLES TESTED WERE CONSISTENT WITH AVIATION GASOLINE. NO SIGNIFICANT WATER OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS WERE FOUND. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1995, at 1435 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-22-160, N2820Z, collided with trees during a forced landing following takeoff at Payson, Arizona. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot, and was beginning a personal cross-country flight to Glendale, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and his one passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he purchased 20 gallons of fuel from the airport prior to departure. Responding fire department personnel stated that they turned off the fuel valve to control a fuel line leak after the accident. An FAA inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft and reported finding no discrepancies. Fuel samples from the aircraft tanks and carburetor, and from the airport fuel truck used to refuel the aircraft, were taken for laboratory analysis. According to the laboratory report, the fuel samples tested were consistent with aviation gasoline. No significant water or other contaminants were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2820Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2820Z-1995-09-30), registration cancelled 1995-09-30, S/N 226813 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-6813 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steve K. Beatty - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: E69 - Destination: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ - Airport: E69, Payson, runway 24, 5,504 × 75 ft, asphalt ## 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: 2,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 13 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: E69, 1 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 19950701022579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950701022579A), Jul 1, 1995: Piper PA22160, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Struck trees on forced landing. No anomalies found. Cause remains undetermined. ## Other investigations on N2820Z (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 MKC67F0213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0213), Sep 23, 1966: Piper PA-22 (N2820Z), Scottsbluff, NE, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.