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NTSB Report
February 2, 1991 · Piper PA-22-150 · N7816D
Wise, VA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 2, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Wise, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-150
Tail Number
N7816D
Operator
Robert J Spera
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO91LA027
THE PILOT HAD JUST DEPARTED THE AIRPORT ON AN IFR FLIGHT AND WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 5,500 FEET WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER. HE IMMEDIATELY PERFORMED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR LOSS OF POWER BUT COULD NOT CORRECT THE SITUATION. WITH INSUFFICIENT POWER TO RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE FIELD, HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A RECLAIMED STRIP MINE. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE LANDING GEAR BROKE AWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT TIPPED ON ITS NOSE AND CAME TO REST INVERTED CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED DAMAGE IN THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER CAUSED BY A BROKEN EXHAUST VALVE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER BROUGHT ON BY A FAILURE OF THE NUMBER THREE CLYINDER EXHAUST VALVE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON THE EMERGENCY LANDING FIELD.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT HAD JUST DEPARTED THE AIRPORT ON AN IFR FLIGHT AND WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 5,500 FEET WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER. HE IMMEDIATELY PERFORMED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR LOSS OF POWER BUT COULD NOT CORRECT THE SITUATION. WITH INSUFFICIENT POWER TO RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE FIELD, HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A RECLAIMED STRIP MINE. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE LANDING GEAR BROKE AWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT TIPPED ON ITS NOSE AND CAME TO REST INVERTED CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED DAMAGE IN THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER CAUSED BY A BROKEN EXHAUST VALVE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVfif
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-22-150
Tail NumberN7816D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRobert J Spera
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 23 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT