# NTSB NYC93LA098: Piper PA-28-140, N9830W, Gordonsville, VA, June 1, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1993, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Gordonsville, VA
- Coordinates: 38.130283, -78.179145 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1303&lon=-78.1791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA098

## Probable cause

WAS A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION, AFTER THE PILOT REFUELED FROM CANS AND DID NOT FILTER THE FUEL ACCORDING TO RECOMMENDATIONS.

## 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
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 150 TO 200 FEET AGL, AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH A SUITABLE LANDING AREA.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN A FIELD, BOUNCED INTO THE AIR, AND FLEW INTO TREES.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT FUEL WOULD NOT FLOW TO THE CARBURETOR WITH THE FUEL TURNED ON AND THE ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP ON.  CONTAMINATION WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR AND FUEL STRAINER.  THE PILOT USED AUTO GAS WHICH WAS PLACED INTO CANS AND THEN POURED INTO THE WING TANKS WITHOUT BEING RUN THROUGH A FILTER OR STRAINER.  ACCORDING TO THE STC FOR AUTO GAS, WHEN REFUELING FROM CANS, THE FUEL SHOULD BE FILTERED OR RUN THROUGH A CHAMOIS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9830W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9830W-1994-06-21), registration cancelled 1994-06-21, S/N 2823334 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23334
- Airframe hours: 3650
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles D. Bailey
- Registered owner: Jeffrey Cotton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1993, 27 hours before
- Departed: GVE
- Destination: W93, ORANGE CO., VA
- Airport: GVE, Gordonsville Muni, runway 22, 2,300 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 332 total, 100 in this make and model, 280 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19930601016119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930601016119A), Jun 1, 1993: Piper PA28140, Gordonsville, VA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landed in a field and bounced into trees. Used unfiltered auto gas. Dirt fouled carburetor.

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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