# NTSB MIA01LA226: Piper PA-22-160, N3516Z, Daytona Beach, FL, September 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 2001, 17:01 local (21:01 UTC) - Place: Daytona Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.079999, -81.046669 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0800&lon=-81.0467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 18, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 53175 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53175/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA226 ## Probable cause a total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper procedures by not placing the fuel selector on the tank with the most fuel, after a reported restricted movement of the flight controls for undetermined reasons, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing in a pasture. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - flight control system - movement restricted - flight control surfaces/attachments - undetermined - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis While descending, and at an altitude of about 900 feet msl, in preparation for entry into the traffic pattern at the airport, the pilot reported, "..…the aircraft commenced an abrupt, uncommanded roll to the right." She regained level flight by applying full left aileron and full left rudder, however the airplane remained in a right wing low attitude and in a gradual right turn. The pilot stated that she "..…realized that directional control was compromised," and due to the high density of housing in the area of the airport, she elected to attempt a force landing in a cow pasture. After landing, the airplane impacted a drainage ditch. Examination of the airplane's fuel system after the accident revealed that the fuel tanks were not breached, the left fuel tank was full of fuel, and no fuel was found in the right fuel tank. The fuel selector handle was found positioned on the "right tank." About 1 ounce of fuel was drained from the forward fuel filter, and about 1/3 of a pint of fuel was drained from the aft fuel filter. Examination of the flight controls revealed that they operated normally and were found to be in serviceable condition. Examination of the propeller revealed that one propeller blade was bent aft 30 degrees and scratched, the other blade was straight and clean. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2001, at 1701 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-160, N3516Z, owned and operated by an individual, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight impacted the ground during a forced landing near the Spruce Creek Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Vandenberg Airport, Tampa, Florida, at 1600. The pilot stated that while on a "gradual descent" at an altitude of about 900 feet msl, and in preparation for entry into the traffic pattern at the airport, "...the aircraft commenced an abrupt, uncommanded roll to the right." The pilot corrected the situation and regained level flight by applying "full left aileron and full left rudder," however the airplane remained in a "right wing" low attitude and "gradual right turn." The pilot stated that she realized that "directional control was compromised," and that due to the "high density" of housing in the area of the airport, she elected to attempt a forced landing in the "only" area that was clear of houses trees and cattle. After landing the airplane impacted an "overgrown" drainage ditch not visible from the air. According to the FAA inspector's statement, the pilot said the right wing suddenly dropped (lost lift), and the engine was at 2100 rpm. The landing was made in a cow pasture west of the airport. In addition, the passenger told the FAA inspector he turned off the ignition just prior to impact with the ground. The airplane came to rest in a "shallow" drainage ditch about 50 feet from initial touchdown. Examination of the airplane's fuel system revealed that the forward fuel filter bowl was slightly displaced from the top of the filter assembly. The fuel tanks were not breached, and the left fuel tank was full of fuel. A rubber hose had to be inserted into the lowest point of the right fuel tank in an attempt to recover fuel from the tank. No fuel was found in the right fuel tank. Examination of the fuel selector handle in the cockpit revealed that the fuel selector was positioned on the "right tank." About "1 ounce" of fuel was drained from the forward fuel filter, and about "1/3 of a pint" of fuel was drained from the aft fuel filter. Examination of the flight controls revealed that they "...operated normally and found to be in serviceable condition." Examination of the propeller revealed that one propeller blade was bent aft 30 degrees and scratched, the other blade was straight and clean. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3516Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3516Z-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 22-7413, built 1960 (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: 22-7413 - Airframe hours: 3274.98 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2001, 7.2 hours before - Departed: VDF, Tampa, FL - Destination: 7FL6, Spruce Creek, FL - Airport: 7FL6, Spruce Creek ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 19, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 300 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 6 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 20010903039119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010903039119A), Sep 3, 2001: Piper PA22160, Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) On September 3, 2001, at 1701 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-22-160, N3516Z, owned and operated by an individual, operating as a title 14 CFR part 91… ## Other investigations on N3516Z (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 DIA69D0133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA69D0133), Jan 26, 1969: Piper PA-22 (N3516Z), Clinton, MD, 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.