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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 25, 2018 · Piper PA28 181 · N68DW

New Market, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 25, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
New Market, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA28 181 (1977)
Tail Number
N68DW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA19LA033

The private pilot stated that, shortly after takeoff for the cross-country, personal flight, the engine suddenly lost partial power. Subsequently, he made a forced landing to a corn field, during which the left main landing gear penetrated the left wing and separated from the airplane, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the firewall and engine mount sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The carburetor exhibited no external damage; however, when the air box and alternate air control were removed, a dead mouse fell out of the intake manifold.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power on takeoff due to restricted air flow to the engine.

Full Narrative

On October 25, 2018, at 0915 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N68WD, was substantially damaged when it made a forced landing to a field after a partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the New Market Airport (8W2), New Market, Virginia. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to a private company and operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that departed at 0850 and was destined for the Luray Caverns Airport (LUA), Luray, Virginia. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, the engine suddenly went to idle power. He was unable to maintain altitude and landed short in a cornfield. Upon landing, the left main landing gear penetrated thru the left wing and separated from the airplane. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the firewall and an engine mount were substantially damaged. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed a postaccident examination of the engine. The propeller was manually rotated, and compression and valve train continuity were established on each cylinder. Throttle and mixture cable continuity was established to the carburetor, but the mixture cable was jammed in place from impact damage. The throttle was not impinged and when moved, the accelerator pump moved and pumped fuel. Examination of the carburetor revealed no external damage; however, when the air box and alternate air control was removed a dead mouse fell out the intake manifold onto the ground. The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. His last FAA Third class medical was issued in September 2016. The pilot reported a total of 470 flight hours. Weather reported at Front Royal Warrenton County Airport (FRR), Front Royal, Virginia at 0935 was reported as calm wind, visibility 10 miles and clear skies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28 181
Tail NumberN68DW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O&VO-360 SER · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 72 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 36 C
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time13:35

Appendix: Source Data