# NTSB MIA89LA241: Piper PA-22-135, N3724A, Booneville, MS, September 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1989, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Booneville, MS
- Coordinates: 34.660778, -88.560935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6608&lon=-88.5609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32496
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32496/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA241

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.  TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WERE A FACTOR.

## 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, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT NOTED THAT THE ENG RPM HAD DROPPED FROM 2400 TO 2100.  UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT, HE MADE A LEFT TURN TO CLEAR TREES.  WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A FIELD, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & CRASHED.  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ACFT & ENG.  THE PLT DID NOT APPLY CARB HEAT AFTER THE LOSS OF PWR; HOWEVER, HE ESTIMATED THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 80 & 30 DEG, WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3724A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3724A), registered now, S/N 22-1965 (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: 22-1965
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Crabb, Bobby G.
- Destination: 34M, CAMPBELL, MO
- Airport: 8M1, Booneville-Baldwyn

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUP, 21 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 19890903033399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890903033399A), Sep 3, 1989: Piper PA22135, Booneville/Bald, MS, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff climb. Struck trees and crashed inverted. No engine defects. Possible carburetor ice.

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.

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