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December 18, 1982 · Piper PA-28-140 · N56689

West Plains, MO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 18, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
West Plains, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N56689
Operator
Walter H Nitz Jr
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC83LA039

EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE PILOT HAD LANDED ON A HIGHWAY AFTER THE AIRCRAFT RAN LOW ON FUEL. HE PURCHASED 15 GAL OF AUTOMOBILE FUEL AND PUT IT IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS. HE THEN TOOK OFF FROM THE HIGHWAY, FLEW TO AN AIRPORT AND ADDED AN ADDITIONAL 20 GAL OF 100LL, AVIATION FUEL. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 150 TO 200 FT AGL. SUBSEQUENTLY, ONE WING WAS TORN OFF DURING A FORCED LANDING AND THE PLANE BURNED. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT USED ALL OF THE 3100 FT RUNWAY DURING THE TAKEOFF. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL; HOWEVER, THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED AND WATER COULD HAVE ENTERED DURING THE FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS.

Full Narrative

EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE PILOT HAD LANDED ON A HIGHWAY AFTER THE AIRCRAFT RAN LOW ON FUEL. HE PURCHASED 15 GAL OF AUTOMOBILE FUEL AND PUT IT IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS. HE THEN TOOK OFF FROM THE HIGHWAY, FLEW TO AN AIRPORT AND ADDED AN ADDITIONAL 20 GAL OF 100LL, AVIATION FUEL. DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT ABOUT 150 TO 200 FT AGL. SUBSEQUENTLY, ONE WING WAS TORN OFF DURING A FORCED LANDING AND THE PLANE BURNED. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT USED ALL OF THE 3100 FT RUNWAY DURING THE TAKEOFF. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL; HOWEVER, THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED AND WATER COULD HAVE ENTERED DURING THE FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:50 CST
Nearest AirportWest Plains Muni (0nm N)
Runway32
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN56689
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWalter H Nitz Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point11 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data