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August 21, 1982 · Piper PA-28-160 · N5796W

Knox, IN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Knox, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-160
Tail Number
N5796W
Operator
Rodney C Sanders
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI82DA324

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A FLIGHT FROM LAKE VILLAGE TO KNOX, IN. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE LANDED TO REFUEL AT RENSSELAER, IN. DURING THE FLIGHT FROM RENSSELAER TO KNOX, THE ENGINE BEGAN LOOSING POWER WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 5 MI FROM THE DESTINATION. WHEN THE PILOT REALIZED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT, HE LANDED IN A PASTURE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, A STRUT FAILED AND THE PLANE NOSE OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT A WHEEL GOT INTO A RUT BEFORE THE PLANE NOSED OVER. DURING AN EXAMINATION, WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS AND CARBURETOR BOW. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD FAILED TO DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS PRIOR TO DEPARTING RENSSELAER.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A FLIGHT FROM LAKE VILLAGE TO KNOX, IN. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE LANDED TO REFUEL AT RENSSELAER, IN. DURING THE FLIGHT FROM RENSSELAER TO KNOX, THE ENGINE BEGAN LOOSING POWER WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 5 MI FROM THE DESTINATION. WHEN THE PILOT REALIZED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT, HE LANDED IN A PASTURE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, A STRUT FAILED AND THE PLANE NOSE OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT A WHEEL GOT INTO A RUT BEFORE THE PLANE NOSED OVER. DURING AN EXAMINATION, WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS AND CARBURETOR BOW. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD FAILED TO DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS PRIOR TO DEPARTING RENSSELAER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-160
Tail NumberN5796W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRodney C Sanders
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data