# NTSB MKC87LA110: Piper PA-22, N5868D, Carbondale, KS, May 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1987, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Carbondale, KS
- Coordinates: 38.820285, -95.68972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8203&lon=-95.6897&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 October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34387/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA110

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - low level
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PIC WAS MOVING HIS ACFT FM ONE AIRSTRIP TO ANOTHER IN THE LCL AREA. WIND COND'S FM A NEARBY FSS, RECORDED WINDS FM THE SOUTHEAST AT 18 KTS, GUSTING TO 25 KTS. THE PIC RPTD DEPARTING THE SOD AIRSTRIP TO THE SOUTHWEST, AND SHORTLY AFT ESTABLISHING A CLIMB, THE ACFT WAS STRUCK BY A GUST OF WIND. THE PIC FURTHER STATED THAT THE RT WING DROPPED, BUT HE LEVELED THE WINGS. THE PIC THEN RPTD THE ENG QUIT, AND A HIGH SINK RATE WAS CONTINUED UNTIL GND IMPACT. THE PIC RPTD HAVING ABOUT 8 GLS FUEL UPON DEPARTURE. A CAUTION IS NOTED IN THE PILOTS HANDBOOK CONCERNING TAKEOFFS WHEN FUEL IS FLOWING FM A NEARLY EMPTY TANK. THE CAUTION EXPRESSES THE POSSIBILITY OF ENG PWR LOSS, AND THE PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW WHEN IT OCCURS. THE FUEL ACCESS PORT IS LOCATED AT THE INBOARD, LEADING EDGE OF THE TANK. UNSTABLE ATTITUDES WHICH TEND TO RESTRICT FUEL FLOW WHEN SUPPLY IS LOW, MAGNIFY THE POTENTIAL FOR PWR LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5868D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5868D), registered now, S/N 22-4547, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- 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: 22-4547
- Airframe hours: 1986
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kevin D. Garrett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1986
- Airport: PVT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,362 total, 150 in this make and model, 475 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EMP, 40 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 19870526016089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870526016089A), May 26, 1987: Piper PA22150, Carbondale, KS, Substantial damage. Landed hard on a forced landing after a loss of power during a takeoff climb. Excessive wind and low fuel factors.

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.