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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 30, 2003 · Lancair 235 · N7156W

Fort Payne, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 30, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Fort Payne, AL
Aircraft
Lancair 235
Tail Number
N7156W
Operator
John J Shippey
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL03LA121

According to the pilot, he removed the carburetor from the accident airplane to troubleshoot another airplane. He reinstalled the carburetor on the accident airplane, and flew it for approximately 20 minutes. While on final approach to land on runway 4, the engine lost power. The airplane collided with trees during an attempted emergency landing. Examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions. Examination of the carburetor control system revealed that the mixture control cable was not connected. The mixture control arm on the carburetor was in the idle cut-off position.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to properly reconnect the mixture control cable resulting in a total loss of engine power, and subsequent in-flight collision with the trees.

Full Narrative

On July 30, 2003, at 1100 central daylight time, a Lancair 235, N7156W, registered to and operated by a commercial pilot, collided with the ground following a complete loss of engine power at Isbell Field, Ft. Payne, Alabama. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91.Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Isbell Field, Ft. Payne, Alabama, on July 30, 2003, at 1030. According to the pilot, he removed the carburetor from the accident airplane to trouble-shoot another airplane. He reinstalled the carburetor on the accident airplane, and flew it for approximately 20 minutes. While on final approach to land on runway 4, the engine quit. The airplane collided with trees during an attempted emergency landing. Examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions. Examination of the carburetor control system revealed that the mixture control cable was not connected. The mixture control arm on the carburetor was in the idle cut-off position.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CDT
Nearest AirportIsbell Field (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLancair 235
Tail NumberN7156W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn J Shippey
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time16:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data