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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 26, 1993 · Piper PA-22-150 · N6723B

West Plains, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
West Plains, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N6723B
Operator
Ron Stow
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI93LA278

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT 150 AGL, THE PILOT REPORTED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO RESTART THE ENGINE WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE PILOT THEN TURNED THE AIRCRAFT LEFT TO AVOID SOME TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN A THICKET OF 6 FOOT BUSHES AND BLACKBERRY BRIERS TO SOFTEN THE IMPACT. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH AIRFRAME, ENGINE, OR ACCESSORIES.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On July 26, 1993, about 1200 central daylight time, a Piper, PA22-150; N6723B, was destroyed by post-impact fire shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and one passenger were both uninjured. The local pleasure flight was originating from West Plains Municipal Airport, West Plains, Missouri in visual meteorological conditions. The flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91 had no flight plan on file. The pilot took-off on runway 36 and at 150 feet AGL the engine lost total power. The PIC checked the magnetos, mixture, carburetor heat, fuel selector, all to no avail. The pilot also tried pumping the engine primer. The PIC then turned the aircraft left to avoid some trees at the end of the runway. He landed the aircraft in a thicket of 6 foot bushes and blackberry briers to soften the impact. When the aircraft stopped, the windscreen was gone, and the pilot and passenger climbed out through the windscreen area. The wreckage was completely engulfed in flames shortly thereafter. The post-accident examination of the engine found all sparkplugs, except the lower #2 cylinder plug, fired normally. All four nuts attaching the carburetor to the engine were only hand tight, but the intake manifold gasket was in good condition. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction with airframe, engine or accessories was found.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 CDT
Nearest AirportWest Plains Municipal (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length4902 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN6723B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRon Stow
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data