# NTSB MIA03LA119: Piper PA-28R-180, N4658J, Olive Branch, MS, June 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 2003, 19:25 local (Jun 10, 2003, 00:25 UTC) - Place: Olive Branch, MS - Coordinates: 34.980556, -89.786666 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9806&lon=-89.7867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Lycoming Engines, Jackson FSDO, The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. - NTSB case key (mKey): 57186 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57186/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's operation of the airplane with known deficiencies (water contamination of the fuel) resulting in loss of engine power shortly after takeoff and damage to airframe during the subsequent forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system - contamination - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis After departure from runway 18, about 350 feet above the ground, the pilot reported that the engine "started to sputter." He could not maintain altitude and attempted a forced landing on a taxiway located perpendicular to the departure runway. The airplane struck trees and brush before it impacted with the terrain, approximately 250 feet short of the runway. Examination of the airplane's fuel at the wreckage site revealed the presence of water in the right main fuel tank using water-finding paste. The engine test run revealed that on the initial run the engine would advance to 2,200 rpm and immediately dropped to 1,200 rpm. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the number 4 fuel injector nozzle was 70 percent obstructed with debris, water was found in all the fuel injectors, and the fuel servo screen was found 30 percent obstructed with corrosion. Corrections to the discrepancies were performed, and the engine was tested again with the same results. An examination of the fuel servo revealed that the fuel diaphragm chamber contained deposits of a white milky substance consistent with water contamination in the fuel, and a service bulletin requiring the unit to be overhauled was not complied with. The airplane had flown a total of 11.18 hours since the last annual. The pilot was aware of water infiltration into the right wing fuel tank after heavy rain. The pilot stated on the day of the accident a tablespoon of water was sump from the right wing. The pilot's flight logbook records indicated the accident airplane flew on May 1, 10, and 11 before fueling on May 12, 2003, with 13.7 gallons of 100 LL aviation fuel. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 2003, about 1925 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N4658J, registered to and operated by an individual, impacted with trees during a forced landing following loss of engine power, near the Olive Branch Airport, Olive Branch, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private-rated pilot and the three passengers reported minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time and en route to Batesville, Mississippi. According to the pilot, he departed runway 18, and was about 350 feet above the ground when the engine "started to sputter." He could not maintain altitude, elected to turn the airplane to the left, maneuvered between two buildings, and attempted to land on taxiway E, located perpendicular to the departure runway. The airplane struck trees and brush before it impacted with the terrain approximately 250 feet short of the runway. All occupants exited the aircraft without any assistance. Under FAA supervision the airplane was recovered and taken to a ramp area for examination on a flatbed trailer. Water was found in the fuel that was retrieved from the right main fuel tank, and in the fuel strainer. This was confirmed when tested with water finding paste. The left main fuel tank was found breached and no fuel was observed. The water was removed from the airplane's fuel system and a replacement propeller was installed to facilitate an operational test run of the engine. The engine could not be operated above 1,500 rpm when tested due to a bent propeller flange on the crankshaft. Under FAA supervision the engine was removed and taken to a facility were it was placed on a test stand along with the installation of a test propeller. On the initial run the engine was advance to 2,200 rpm and immediately dropped to 1,200 rpm. The fuel system on the engine was examined and the number 4 fuel injector nozzle was found 70 percent obstructed with debris, and water was found in all the fuel injectors. The fuel servo screen was found 30 percent obstructed with corrosion. All obstructions and water were removed from their respective systems. Again the engine was started and advanced to 2,200 rpm; however, immediately the revolutions dropped to 1,200 rpm. The process of advancing to 2,200 rpm was performed several times with the same loss of power results. The engine's fuel system components were removed, and retained for further examination. Under NTSB supervision the fuel servo examination revealed that the fuel diaphragm chamber contained a white milky substance consistent with water contamination. The fuel servo data plate indicated the unit was a Bendix, model RSA -5AD1, part number 2524297-6. The dash 6 represented the last revision accomplished to the unit. The dash 6 revision was dated 1979. According to the component maintenance manual history of change for the RSA-5AD1model fuel servo, the current issue for that unit should have been a dash 9 with a date of 1985. Precision Airmotive Corporation issued a service bulletin, number PRS-97, revision 1 dated November 11, 1991, for RS and RSA fuel injection system components, which stated "all fuel components" require overhaul at every engine overhaul or 10 years in service, whichever occurs first. The aircraft's maintenance records reflected the last annual inspection was performed on June 23, 2002. The airplane had flown a total of 11.18 hours since the last annual. The pilot stated after heavy rain he would notice water in the fuel from the right wing tank when sumped; more so, on the day of the accident he sumped about a tablespoon of water from the right wing tank. The pilot's flight logbook records indicated the accident airplane flew on May 1, 10, and 11 before fueling on May 12, 2003, with 13.7 gallons of 100 LL aviation fuel. Components retained by NTSB for further examination were returned to the registered aircraft owner's representative on October 28, 2003. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4658J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4658J-2005-06-29), registration cancelled 2005-06-29, S/N 28R-30553, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30553 - Airframe hours: 4947 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kinard Edward Robbins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 2003, 11.18 hours before - Departed: OLV, Olive Branch, MS - Destination: 0M6, Batesville, MS - Airport: OLV, Olive Branch, runway 18, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 17, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 353 total, 200 in this make and model, 191 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: OLV ## 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 20030609010279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030609010279A), Jun 9, 2003: Piper PA28R180, Olive Branch, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) During takeoff on runway 18, at approx. 350 feet AGL, the engine started sputtering and losing power. Pilot turned left and was trying to circle back to… 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.