Saturday, November 17, 2018

Loss of Engine Power (Partial): Piper PA-28-181, N68DW; accident occurred October 25, 2018 near New Market Airport (8W2), Shenandoah County, Virginia

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Dulles, Virginia

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 
 
https://registry.faa.gov/N68DW


Location: New Market, VA
Accident Number: ERA19LA033
Date & Time: 10/25/2018, 0915 EDT
Registration: N68DW
Aircraft: Piper PA28
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (partial)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

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.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 72, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/20/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/30/2016
Flight Time:  470 hours (Total, all aircraft), 400 hours (Total, this make and model), 410 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N68DW
Model/Series: PA28 181
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture:
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 28-7890006
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/15/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2550 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4100.88 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O&VO-360 SER
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: FRR, 703 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 26 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0935 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 45°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.25 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 5°C / 2°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: New Market, VA (8W2)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Luray, VA (LUA)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0850 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.655000, -78.668333 (est)

Location: New Market, VA
Accident Number: ERA19LA033
Date & Time: 10/25/2018, 0915 EDT
Registration: N68DW
Aircraft: Piper PA28
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

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 as he climbed thru 2,300 ft, the engine suddenly went to idle power as he was leaning the mixture. He was unable to maintain altitude and tried to return to the airport but landed short in a cornfield. The left main landing gear penetrated thru the top of the wing and separated from the airplane. The nose landing gear collapsed, and the firewall was wrinkled. The right wing was also damaged.

The airplane wreckage was retained for further investigation.

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. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N68DW
Model/Series: PA28 181
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: FRR, 703 ft msl
Observation Time: 0935 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 26 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 5°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.25 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: New Market, VA (8W2)
Destination: Luray, VA (LUA) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  38.655000, -78.668333 (est)

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