# NTSB LAX98LA157: Piper PA-22-160, N198TP, Clarksburg, CA, May 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 1998, 18:00 local (May 15, 1998, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Clarksburg, CA - Coordinates: 38.370815, -121.580085 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3708&lon=-121.5801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 3, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30084 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30084/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA157 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined non-mechanical reasons. A contributing factor in the landing nose-over was the presence of the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to taking off for the planned 10-minute-long flight both fuel tanks contained over 5 gallons of fuel, and all airplane systems were functioning normally. The pilot arrived at his destination airport and entered the traffic pattern. Carburetor heat was applied, the throttle was retarded, and the airplane descended. After turning onto the base leg the pilot moved the throttle forward to increase engine power, and the engine 'blubbered and totally lost power.' Unable to glide to the runway, the pilot made a forced landing in a soft field adjacent to the airport, and the airplane nosed over. The FAA coordinator responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The FAA reported it examined the powerplant, induction system, engine controls, and magnetos. The ignition switch and the carburetor were also functionally examined. No evidence was found of any mechanical malfunctions. The reason for the interruption of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 1998, at 1800 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22-160, N198TP, registered to the Aircraft Owner's and Pilot's Association (AOPA), experienced a total loss of engine power in the traffic pattern at the uncontrolled Clarksburg Airport, Clarksburg, California. Unable to glide to the runway, the commercial pilot made a forced landing in a soft field and the airplane nosed over. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Sacramento, California, at 1750. The pilot reported that prior to taking off for the planned 10-minute-long flight both fuel tanks contained over 5 gallons of fuel, and all airplane systems were functioning normally. The pilot arrived at Clarksburg and entered the traffic pattern. Carburetor heat was applied, the throttle was retarded, and the airplane descended. The pilot further stated that after turning onto the base leg he moved the throttle forward to increase engine power, and the engine "blubbered and totally lost power." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The FAA reported it examined the powerplant, induction system, engine controls, and magnetos. The ignition switch and the carburetor were also functionally examined. No evidence was found of any mechanical malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N198TP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N198TP), registered now, S/N 22-5625, built 1957 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-5625 - Airframe hours: 2779 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael S. Pavao - Registered owner: Aircraft Owners And Pilot Assn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1998, 1 hours before - Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA - Destination: C14 - Airport: C14, Borges-Clarksburg, runway 9, 2,335 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,300 total, 3,200 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19980514009209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980514009209A), May 14, 1998: Piper PA22160, Clarksburg, CA, Substantial damage. Acft exper engine failure and made an emergency landing in a plowed field off the end of rwy, Clarksburg, CA. (.4) on may 14, 1998, at 1800 hours pacific… 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.