# NTSB MIA99LA065: Piper PA-22-108, N4542Z, Perry, GA, January 6, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 6, 1999, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Perry, GA - Coordinates: 32.460147, -83.729927 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4601&lon=-83.7299&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45585 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45585/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA065 ## Probable cause The maintenance personnel incorrect adjustment of the intake and exhaust valves resulting in the induction system fire and subsequent loss of engine power. ## 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 - engine assembly,valve,intake - incorrect (cause) - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - incorrect (cause) - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff while climbing through 200 feet, the engine rpm decreased to 1,500 rpm. He changed the throttle settings which had no effect and unable to maintain altitude, he maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing at a nearby sod farm. The airplane stalled, and landed hard just short of the intended touchdown location then nosed over. Examination of the airplane and engine by an FAA Airworthiness Inspector revealed that the fuel selector valve was improperly assembled; no detents could be felt. Also, cold differential compression readings for cylinder Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 were recorded to be 20, 19, 54, and 5 psi respectively. The No. 2 cylinder valves were adjusted and the cold compression reading increased to 50 plus psi. Fire damage was noted to the back side of the induction air filter assembly. The carburetor was found to contain a two-piece venturi when by an airworthiness directive, a one-piece venturi is required. The maintenance records indicated that a one-piece venturi was installed. The records also indicated that the rocker arms were adjusted on April 21, 1997. The airplane had accumulated approximately 85 hours since then at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On January 6, 1999, about 1130 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22-108, N4542Z, registered to a private individual, landed hard then nosed over during a forced landing shortly after takeoff from Middle Georgia Airport, Perry, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that before departure, a total of 10 gallons of automotive fuel were added to the fuel tanks; 5 gallons into the left and right fuel tanks. He then performed a preflight with no discrepancies noted. After takeoff while climbing through 200 feet, the engine rpm decreased to 1,500 rpm. He pumped the throttle, which had no effect. While descending for a forced landing on a nearby sod farm, the airplane stalled, landed hard in a field short of the intended touchdown location (sod farm) and nosed over. Examination of the airplane at the accident site by an FAA airworthiness inspector while the airplane was inverted revealed fuel leakage from the right wing fuel tank cap. The airplane owner/pilot reported that during recovery of the airplane, he noted that the carburetor bowl was damaged and the carburetor control was connected at the carburetor. Further examination of the engine following recovery revealed that the differential compression readings (cold) from cylinder Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 20, 19, 54, and 5 psi respectively. The valve adjustment for the No. 2 cylinder was then loosened and the cold differential compression reading increased to 50 plus psi. The fuel selector was determined to be improperly assembled; no detent for each position could be felt. Marks were noted adjacent to the fuel selector which coincided with fuel selector position. Fire damage was noted to the inside portion of the bracket type air filter element, and the sending unit for the right wing fuel tank was improperly installed. With respect to the carburetor, a two-piece venturi was installed, which according to the FAA inspector, was required by Airworthiness Directive to be changed to a one-piece venturi. Review of the maintenance records revealed an entry dated April 21, 1997, which indicates that all valve rocker arms were adjusted and a one-piece venturi was installed. The airplane had accumulated approximately 85 hours since the valve adjustment at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4542Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4542Z), registered now, S/N 22-8047, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22-108 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-235-C1B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-235-c1b) (registry code 42028, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-8047 - Airframe hours: 2809 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David G. Morris - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1998, 32 hours before - Departed: 68GA - Airport: 68GA, Middle Georgia Airport, runway 36, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 100 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MCN, 12 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 19990106045409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990106045409A), Jan 6, 1999: Piper PA22108, Middle, GA, No damage. (-23)On climbout aircraft experienced a loss of power, crashed in a sod field. Aircraft encountered a ditch, nose strut broke and subsequently aircraft stopped… 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.