14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, September 09, 2012 in Gilmer, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/09/2013
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28RT-201, registration: N2878V
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The student pilot reported that while he was performing flight maneuvers in preparation for a checkride, the engine backfired and lost partial power. He attempted unsuccessfully to regain engine power. Because he could not maintain altitude and the local terrain was tree-covered, the student pilot chose to ditch the airplane in a nearby lake. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 3 cylinder lost compression due to the seizure of the No. 3 cylinder piston rings. The No. 3 cylinder fuel nozzle was found partially clogged, which likely resulted in a lean fuel mixture and excessive heat in the cylinder and the subsequent piston ring failure. The reason for the clogged fuel nozzle could not be determined.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The partial loss of engine power due to the loss of cylinder compression. The loss of cylinder compression was the result of the No. 3 piston ring failure due to excessive heat because of the lean fuel mixture from a partially clogged fuel nozzle.
On September 9, 2012, approximately 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201 single-engine airplane, N2878V, sustained substantial damage when it ditched into a lake following a partial loss of engine power near Gilmer, Texas. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to AirLease Nevada, LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional solo flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Fox Stephens Field (JXI), Gilmer, Texas, at 1400.
The student pilot stated he was practicing basic flight maneuvers in preparation to take his private pilot check ride. During a 20 degree bank turn at 1,500 feet above ground level, the engine backfired and lost partial power. The pilot attempted to regain engine power; however, his attempts were unsuccessful. The pilot could not maintain altitude, and due to the tree covered terrain surrounding the area, he elected to ditch the airplane into a lake. The airplane landed in the water and sank. The pilot was able to egress and was rescued by nearby boaters.
A review of the maintenance records revealed the Lycoming IO-360-C1C6 (serial number RL 28998-51A) engine, underwent its most recent annual inspection on October 11, 2011, at a total time of 1,011.7 hours since major overhaul. During the inspection, no abnormal engine discrepancies were noted. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 1,043.2 hours since major overhaul.
On January 30, 2013, the engine was examined by the NTSB investigator-in-charge and a representative from Lycoming engines. Examination of the engine revealed the No. 3 cylinder had little to no compression when the engine crankshaft was rotated by hand. The No. 3 cylinder was removed, and the piston displayed excessive exhaust blow-by and the piston rings were seized in the ring lands. The No. 3 fuel injector nozzle was removed and found partially blocked with debris. The magnetos were functionally tested and no anomalies were noted. The spark plugs were functionally tested and no anomalies were noted. The intake box to fuel control air hose displayed black discoloration consistent with engine backfire. The cockpit mixture control lever was found in the mid-range position.
NTSB Identification: CEN12LA623
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, September 09, 2012 in Gilmer, TX
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28RT-201, registration: N2878V
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On September 9, 2012, approximately 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201 single-engine airplane, N2878V, sustained substantial damage when it ditched into a lake following a partial loss of engine power near Gilmer, Texas. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to AirLease Nevada, LLC, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional solo flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Fox Stephens Field (JXI), Gilmer, Texas, at 1400.
The pilot stated he was practicing basic flight maneuvers in preparation to take his private pilot check ride. During a 20 degree bank turn at 1,500 feet above ground level, the engine lost partial power. The pilot attempted to regain engine power; however, his attempts were unsuccessful. The pilot could not maintain altitude, and due to the tree covered terrain surrounding the area, the pilot elected to ditch the airplane into a lake. The airplane landed in the water and sank. The pilot was able to egress and was rescued by nearby boaters.
The airplane was recovered from the lake and transported to a secure facility for further examination.
MARION COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - A plane crash at Lake O' the Pines is currently under investigation by the FAA.
The plane crashed into the middle of the lake Sunday evening near the Johnson Creek Mariana off of FM 729.
The pilot of the plane, who has not been identified, was able to escape from the plane before it sank. He was then rescued by first responders and transported to a local hospital. His injuries are not yet known.
The plane is a Piper PA-28RT-201 registered to Airlease Nevada LLC in Carson City, Nevada. Officials have laid out buoys near the submerged plane.
Read more: http://www.ksla.com
http://registry.faa.gov/N2878V
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 2878V Make/Model: PA28 Description: PA-28 ARROW
Date: 09/09/2012 Time: 1950
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: None Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
City: LONGVIEW State: TX Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES. LONGVIEW, TX
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0
# Crew: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk: 1
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: DALLAS, TX (SW05) Entry date: 09/10/2012 #
