# NTSB MIA97LA106: Piper PA22-150, N3201Z, Cumming, GA, March 30, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 30, 1997, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Cumming, GA - Location: 34.2061° N, 84.1338° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cumming, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2061&lon=-84.1338&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38236 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38236/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA106 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for an undermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent impact with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - 1 engine - undetermined - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis While in cruise flight the pilot noticed a decrease in engine RPM's. He switched fuel tanks and applied carburetor heat. He further stated that the only thing that helped was the 'in and out motion on the throttle.' The engine did not regain power so the pilot attempted a forced landing in a pasture, which resulted in impact with the ground. The engine was removed from the airplane and placed on a test stand and run with all the original parts that were on the engine at the time of the accident with the exception of the carburetor. The carburetor had sustained impact damage and the throttle valve was separated from the body of the carburetor. The engine test run did not reveal any discrepancies. The carburetor was disassembled and the gasket was found dry and in pieces. There was no fuel found in the bowl. ## Factual narrative On March 30, 1997, about 0900 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22-150, N3201Z, registered to a private owner, crashed during a forced landing near Cumming, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight. The private-rated pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The fight had originated about 15 minutes before the accident. The airplane was in cruise flight when the pilot noticed a "decrease in engine RPM's." The pilot switched fuel tanks and applied carburetor heat. He further stated that the only thing that helped was the "in and out motion on the throttle." The engine did not regain power so the pilot attempted a forced landing in a pasture, which resulted in impact with the ground. The engine was removed from the airplane and examined at Lycoming Engine's facilities in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1997, under the supervision of the FAA. The engine was placed on a test stand and run with all the original parts that were on the engine at the time of the accident with the exception of the carburetor. The carburetor had impact damage and the throttle was separated from the body of the carburetor. The engine test run did not reveal any discrepancies. The carburetor was shipped to the NTSB Southeast Regional office, Miami, Florida, were it was disassembled. The carburetor was received with all safety wires attached, and throttle valve which was laying separate from the body of the carburetor. The carburetor was disassembled and the gasket was found dry and in pieces. There was no fuel found in the bowl. The float retention valve pin was in place, and the needle valve operated. The engine was released on July 11, 1997, and shipped from Lycoming's factory on the same day, under shipping order No. P597459. The carburetor was shipped on the same day from the NTSB Southeast Regional office, Miami, Florida. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3201Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3201Z), registered now, S/N 22-7141, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA22-150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-7141 - Airframe hours: 1601 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Miles R. Duncan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 84A ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,201 total, 400 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19970330046199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970330046199A), Mar 30, 1997: Piper PA22150, Cumming, GA, No damage. (-23) Aircraft lost power at cruise - 2200 ft. (AGL). Landed in cow pasture. Substantial damage to fire wall and engine mount. No visual indications of engine… 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.