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October 17, 1987 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N1547X

Homer, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 17, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Homer, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N1547X
Operator
Bobby Watson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL88LA015

THE PILOT REPORTED A GRADUAL DECREASE IN POWER AFTER REACHING 4000 FEET. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN A RESTART. HE THEN ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE PRIOR TO LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 150 FEET FROM A FENCE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FUELED WITH 20 GALLONS OF 100 LOW LEAD PRIOR TO DEPARTING GAINESVILLE. THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR STATED THAT FUEL SAMPLES WERE TAKEN AND THERE WERE NO VISIBLE CONTAMINATES SEEN IN THE FUEL. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF FUEL PROBLEMS BY OTHERS WHO PURCHASED FUEL FROM GAINESVILLE ON OCTOBER 17, 1987. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCOVER ANY REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED A GRADUAL DECREASE IN POWER AFTER REACHING 4000 FEET. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN A RESTART. HE THEN ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE PRIOR TO LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH AND CAME TO REST ABOUT 150 FEET FROM A FENCE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FUELED WITH 20 GALLONS OF 100 LOW LEAD PRIOR TO DEPARTING GAINESVILLE. THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR STATED THAT FUEL SAMPLES WERE TAKEN AND THERE WERE NO VISIBLE CONTAMINATES SEEN IN THE FUEL. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF FUEL PROBLEMS BY OTHERS WHO PURCHASED FUEL FROM GAINESVILLE ON OCTOBER 17, 1987. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCOVER ANY REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:05 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN1547X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBobby Watson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data