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August 14, 1987 · Piper PA-28-235 · N8661W

Knoxville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Knoxville, TN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235
Tail Number
N8661W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL87LA231

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG TAKEOFF, THE ACFT CLBD NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 100 TO 150 FT, THEN THE ENG LOST PWR W/O WARNING. HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS & TRIED TO RESTART THE ENG, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE ACFT WAS LNDD & SANK IN A RIVER, SHORT OF AN OPEN FLD. WHEN THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WATER, THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS FOUND ABOUT 1-1/8 INCH FROM THE FULL RICH POSITION. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE ENG WAS DRIED OUT & SERVICED WITH NEW OIL. AN ENG RUN WAS MADE, BUT THE POWER WAS LIMITED TO ABOUT 1500 RPM TO AVOID VIBRATION DUE TO A BENT PROP. THE PLT SAID THAT AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF, HE HAD LEANED THE MIXTURE DUE TO THE AMBIENT TEMP. THE 1452 TEMP AT KNOXVILLE WAS 88 DEG.

Full Narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG TAKEOFF, THE ACFT CLBD NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 100 TO 150 FT, THEN THE ENG LOST PWR W/O WARNING. HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS & TRIED TO RESTART THE ENG, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE ACFT WAS LNDD & SANK IN A RIVER, SHORT OF AN OPEN FLD. WHEN THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WATER, THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS FOUND ABOUT 1-1/8 INCH FROM THE FULL RICH POSITION. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE ENG WAS DRIED OUT & SERVICED WITH NEW OIL. AN ENG RUN WAS MADE, BUT THE POWER WAS LIMITED TO ABOUT 1500 RPM TO AVOID VIBRATION DUE TO A BENT PROP. THE PLT SAID THAT AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF, HE HAD LEANED THE MIXTURE DUE TO THE AMBIENT TEMP. THE 1452 TEMP AT KNOXVILLE WAS 88 DEG.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EDT
Nearest AirportKnoxville Downtown Island (1nm ENE)
Runway8
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN8661W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:52

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Appendix: Source Data