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NTSB Report
February 3, 1986 · Piper PA-32-300 · N56685
West Alton, MO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
West Alton, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N56685
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC86LA147
THE PLT STATED THAT DURING PREFLIGHT HE CONFIRMED THAT THE ACFT NEEDED FUEL. AFTER REFUELING WAS COMPLETED, THE PLT STATED, THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WATER IN THE FUEL SAMPLES. THE PLT, ALSO AN A&P, TRIED TO CLEAR THE FUEL SYSTEM OF TRAPPED WATER. HE STATED, ENGINE RUNUP, TAKEOFF AND CRUISE FLT WERE UNEVENTFUL UNTIL HALF AN HOUR LATER WHEN THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH AND LOST POWER. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN AN AREA OF HIGH VEGETATION. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A MILKY SOLUTION OF SOAP AND WATER WAS PRESENT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN WASHED JUST PRIOR TO THIS FLT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT DURING PREFLIGHT HE CONFIRMED THAT THE ACFT NEEDED FUEL. AFTER REFUELING WAS COMPLETED, THE PLT STATED, THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WATER IN THE FUEL SAMPLES. THE PLT, ALSO AN A&P, TRIED TO CLEAR THE FUEL SYSTEM OF TRAPPED WATER. HE STATED, ENGINE RUNUP, TAKEOFF AND CRUISE FLT WERE UNEVENTFUL UNTIL HALF AN HOUR LATER WHEN THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH AND LOST POWER. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN AN AREA OF HIGH VEGETATION. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A MILKY SOLUTION OF SOAP AND WATER WAS PRESENT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN WASHED JUST PRIOR TO THIS FLT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN56685
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO