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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 16, 2013 · Piper PA-22-125 · N663A

Mapleton, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mapleton, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-22-125
Tail Number
N663A
Operator
Mccarty Michael H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13LA417

The pilot said the airplane's engine started "sputtering" then lost total power. He made a forced landing in a corn field, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated that he performed a thorough preflight inspection of the airplane, during which he drained fuel from all three fuel sumps, and he found no evidence of water or sediment contamination. However, postaccident examination of fuel samples taken from both the left and right wing fuel tanks and from the gascolator fuel line revealed a substantial amount of water. The investigation revealed that the airplane had been parked outside and there had been recent heavy rains in the area.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, which resulted in the pilot's forced landing to unsuitable terrain.

Full Narrative

On July 16, 2013, about 1700 central daylight time, the pilot of a Piper PA-22-125, N663A, made a forced landing in a cornfield after the engine lost power near Mapleton, Minnesota. The pilot and a passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at an undetermined time from Wells (68Y), Minnesota, and was en route to Mankato (KMKT), Minnesota.The following is based on the pilot's accident report, an interview he had with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors, the passenger's statement, and witness statements: The pilot said he telephone the Flight Service Station and obtained a weather briefing, then he performed a thorough preflight inspection of the airplane that included draining all three fuel sumps. He said there was no water or sediment in the tanks. No fuel was added. He made one solo flight to regain currency, then flew his father around the city of Wells. The pilot then took his brother and departed for Mankato. North of Mapleton at 2,500 feet, the engine "sputtered." The pilot applied carburetor heat and adjusted the fuel mixture to full rich. The engine continued to sputter. The pilot then switched to the right tank. The engine then "quit." The pilot made a forced landing in a corn field and nosed over. FAA inspectors took fuel samples from both the left and right wing fuel tanks, and from the gascolator fuel line. A substantial amount of water was recovered. According to the inspector, the airplane had been parked outside and there had been recent heavy rainfalls in the area.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22-125
Tail NumberN663A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMccarty Michael H
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O290D · Reciprocating · 125
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class · None

Conditions

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

Appendix: Source Data