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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 3, 1989 · Piper PA-24-250 · N4CD

Perry, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Perry, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N4CD
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA89LA242

WHILE EN ROUTE AT 3500 FT, THE ENG LOST POWER & ATTEMPTS TO RESTART IT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT IN A PLOWED FIELD, BUT THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, THE CARBURETOR WAS REMOVED. AN INTERNAL EXAM REVEALED THE FLOAT-TO-BOWL CLEARANCE WAS LESS THAN REQUIRED DUE TO FLOAT SHAFT BRACKET WEAR. EXCESSIVE FLOAT DROP (BETWEEN 1.58 & 1.8 INCHES) WAS REQUIRED TO START THE NEEDLE VALVE OPENING & ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE CHAMBER. ALSO, THE FLOAT CHAFFED THE WALL OF THE CARBURETOR BOWL PRIOR TO THE NEEDLE VALVE OPENING. NO OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO WEAR AND RESTRICTED MOVEMENT OF THE CARBURETOR FLOAT, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA CONTRIBUTED TO OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE NOSE GEAR.

Full Narrative

WHILE EN ROUTE AT 3500 FT, THE ENG LOST POWER & ATTEMPTS TO RESTART IT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT IN A PLOWED FIELD, BUT THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. DURING AN INVESTIGATION, THE CARBURETOR WAS REMOVED. AN INTERNAL EXAM REVEALED THE FLOAT-TO-BOWL CLEARANCE WAS LESS THAN REQUIRED DUE TO FLOAT SHAFT BRACKET WEAR. EXCESSIVE FLOAT DROP (BETWEEN 1.58 & 1.8 INCHES) WAS REQUIRED TO START THE NEEDLE VALVE OPENING & ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE CHAMBER. ALSO, THE FLOAT CHAFFED THE WALL OF THE CARBURETOR BOWL PRIOR TO THE NEEDLE VALVE OPENING. NO OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:02 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN4CD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1C5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data