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June 9, 1987 · Piper PA-28R-201 · N3965M

Unity, OH

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 9, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Unity, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-201
Tail Number
N3965M
Operator
Beaver Aviation Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA164

THE CFI REPORTED THAT HE REDUCED PWR TO NEAR IDLE WITH THE THROTTLE, TO HAVE HIS STUDENT PRACTICE A SIMULATED FORCED LDG. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST PWR COMPLETELY AT ABOUT 400-500 FT AGL WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD PWR BACK SO THAT THE STUDENT COULD INITIATE A GO-AROUND. SUBSEQUENT EFFORTS TO REGAIN PWR WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, AND A FORCED LDG WAS MADE IN A FIELD. THE CFI NOTED THAT HE HAD INCREASED THE PWR MOMENTARILY SEVERAL TIMES DURING DESCENT TO 'CLEAR' THE ENGINE, AND THAT HE WAS 'SLOWLY' OPENING THE THROTTLE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST PWR. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE BY THE FAA REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

Full Narrative

THE CFI REPORTED THAT HE REDUCED PWR TO NEAR IDLE WITH THE THROTTLE, TO HAVE HIS STUDENT PRACTICE A SIMULATED FORCED LDG. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST PWR COMPLETELY AT ABOUT 400-500 FT AGL WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD PWR BACK SO THAT THE STUDENT COULD INITIATE A GO-AROUND. SUBSEQUENT EFFORTS TO REGAIN PWR WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, AND A FORCED LDG WAS MADE IN A FIELD. THE CFI NOTED THAT HE HAD INCREASED THE PWR MOMENTARILY SEVERAL TIMES DURING DESCENT TO 'CLEAR' THE ENGINE, AND THAT HE WAS 'SLOWLY' OPENING THE THROTTLE WHEN THE ENGINE LOST PWR. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE BY THE FAA REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-201
Tail NumberN3965M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBeaver Aviation Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 11 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data