# NTSB MIA00LA269: Piper PA-22-135, N3483A, Enochville, NC, September 23, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 2000, 19:06 local (23:06 UTC) - Place: Enochville, NC - Coordinates: 35.659919, -80.479003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6599&lon=-80.4790&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50313 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50313/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA269 ## Probable cause A loss of engine 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, climb - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis Witnesses watched the airplane departing the airstrip, and when it did not return, they suspected that something had gone wrong. About 1 or 2 miles from the airport the pilot said, "I had an engine failure." He tried to land in a field but struck the top of a tree and then hit the ground. The FAA examined the wreckage, and found that there was fuel in the tanks, the fuel cap for the right fuel tank was not on the tank and was missing. External inspection indicated the engine had no fuel or oil leaks, the condition and color of the plugs insulation and electrode indicated no fouling, the engine was a little on the lean side, and operated on automotive gasoline. The pilot indicated that he flew a total of 5 hours in the accident airplane in the past 90 days, 3 hours in the past 30 days, and none the 24 hours before the accident. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 2000, about 1906 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-135, N3483A, owned by a private individual, lost engine power and impacted with a tree during a forced landing near Enochville, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. No flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot reported serious injuries. The flight had departed from a private airstrip at an unknown time. Witnesses watched the airplane departing the airstrip, and when it did not return, they suspected that something had gone wrong. The airplane was found, and the pilot told his wife that there was an "engine failure." The pilot stated, "...about 1 or 2 miles from [the] airport I had an engine failure. Tried to land in a field but caught top of [a] tree and then hit the ground." When the FAA examined the wreckage, they found that there was fuel in the tanks. The fuel cap for the right fuel tank was not on the tank and was missing. According to the FAA inspector's statement, "...external inspection indicated the engine had no fuel or oil leaks and appeared to be well maintained. Several ignition plugs were removed for examination. The condition and color of the plugs insulation and electrode indicated no fouling. Indications appeared the engine was a little on the lean side...the aircraft was operating on automotive gasoline." It was not determined how long the airplane sat with the fuel in the tanks. However, the pilot indicated on the NTSB form 6120.1/2, that he flew a total of 5 hours in the accident airplane in the past 90 days, 3 hours in the past 30 days, and none the 24 hours before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3483A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3483A-2003-02-19), registration cancelled 2003-02-19, S/N 22-1753, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-135) (registry code 7102206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1753 - Airframe hours: 3000 - Engines: Lycoming O-290D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth Carpenter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 2000, 4 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 163 °F, dew point 158 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RUQ ## 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 20000923039479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000923039479A), Sep 23, 2000: Piper PA22135, Enochville, NC, No damage. (-23) On 9/23/00 at approx. 1900 EDT, the a/c departed barringer field near Enochville, NC, at approx. 200-300 AGL. The engine pilot pulled on carbht and… 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.