# NTSB NYC99LA111: Piper PA-22-108, N5938Z, Chambersburg, PA, May 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 1999, 20:00 local (May 12, 1999, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Chambersburg, PA - Coordinates: 39.929233, -77.650787 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9292&lon=-77.6508&mi=10 - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46307/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA111 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence post - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that a successful preflight was performed prior to takeoff. During the takeoff, at about 150 feet above the ground, the engine began to decelerate, 'as if you pulled the throttle back to idle.' The pilot nosed the airplane over and performed a forced landing. The engine was removed from the airframe for a test run under the supervision of a FAA Inspector. Prior to the test run, crankshaft continuity and thumb compression were confirmed. The engine was then placed on a test stand and successfully run. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 1999, about 2000 Eastern Daylight Time, a Piper PA-22-108, N5938Z, impacted the ground during climbout from a private grass airstrip, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated in a telephone interview that the airplane originated at the Chambersburg Municipal Airport, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The airplane was flown in the local area for about an hour, then the flight proceeded to Rock Top Airport to practice touch and go landings. After landing, the airplane was parked for about 45 minutes. The airplane was then started again and taxied to Runway 31, where a run-up was conducted. The engine was accelerated to 1700 Rpm's, and a check of the left and right magnetos, along with the carburetor heat, was performed. No discrepancies were observed, and the airplane departed. The total time from starting the engine to departure was estimated at 5 minutes. As the airplane began to climb normally, the pilot mentioned to the passenger that the engine was performing quite well. At about 150 feet above the ground, the engine began to decelerate, "as if you pulled the throttle back to idle." The pilot nosed the airplane over to gain airspeed, and began to look for a place to land. The airplane touched down on all three wheels, in a dry creek bed, rolled about 50 feet, proceeded up a grass hill, then hit a fence post, shearing off the nose gear. The airplane continued past the fence and hit standing trees with the left wing, shearing the wing off. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane, and observed large amounts of fuel draining from the left side of the fuselage. The airplane was rolled back onto the main landing gear, stopping the fuel leak. Examination of the wreckage at the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that there was about 5 gallons of fuel remaining in both wing tanks. The engine was removed from the airframe and shipped to Textron Lycoming, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for a test run under the supervision of a FAA Inspector. Prior to the test run, crankshaft continuity and thumb compression were confirmed. The engine was then placed on a test stand and successfully run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5938Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5938Z-2026-03-16), registration cancelled 2026-03-16, S/N 22-9809 (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 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-9808 - Airframe hours: 4505 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen K Gilman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1998, 32 hours before - Departed: PA58, PA - Destination: N68, PA - Airport: PA58, Rock Top Airport ## 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: 204 total, 204 in this make and model, 194 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HGR, 17 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 19990511043309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990511043309A), May 11, 1999: Piper PA22108, Chambersburg, PA, No damage. (-23) Immediately after take-off, at approx. 150 feet (AGL), the a/c lost power and crashed off the airport (in farmer field). 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.