# NTSB SEA85LA013: Piper PA38, N9513T, Williams, OR, October 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1984, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Williams, OR
- Coordinates: 42.140571, -123.319122 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1406&lon=-123.3191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40083
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40083/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - leaded (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

PLT WAS FLYING 150 TO 200 FT AGL AT 80 TO 85 MPH. UPON PWR APPLICATION TO RETURN TO ALT, PLT STATED, CARBURETOR HEAT CONROL WAS NOT RETURNED TO THE 'OFF' POSITION. PLT STATED ACFT DID NOT WANT TO CLIMB SO PWR WAS REMOVED AND AN ATTEMPT TO FLY UNDER SURROUNDING TREES WAS MADE. THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREE BRANCHES AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND. PLT REPORTED THE LEFT MAGNETO WAS ROUGH DURING PRE-FLIGHT RUN-UP, HOWEVER POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION OF THE MAGNETOS REVEALED NO ABNORMALITIES. THE LOWER SPARK PLUGS WERE FOUND TO BE CARBON FOULED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9513T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9513T-1988-12-15), registration cancelled 1988-12-15, S/N 3878A0121 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0121
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-12C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Cova
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3S8, GRANTS PASS, OR
- Destination: 3S8, GRANTS PASS, OR
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 355 total, 10 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFR, 18 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 19841022059769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841022059769A), Oct 22, 1984: Piper PA38112, Grants Pass, OR, Substantial damage. Engine lacked full power to go around from low Pass. Lower plugs were fouled. Pilot ignored rough mags on takeoff.

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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