Summary
On July 26, 1993, a Piper PA-22-150 (N6723B) was involved in an incident near West Plains, MO. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.
On July 26, 1993, about 1200 central daylight time, a Piper, PA22-150; N6723B, was destroyed by post-impact fire shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and one passenger were both uninjured. The local pleasure flight was originating from West Plains Municipal Airport, West Plains, Missouri in visual meteorological conditions. The flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91 had no flight plan on file.
The pilot took-off on runway 36 and at 150 feet AGL the engine lost total power. The PIC checked the magnetos, mixture, carburetor heat, fuel selector, all to no avail. The pilot also tried pumping the engine primer. The PIC then turned the aircraft left to avoid some trees at the end of the runway.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI93LA278. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6723B.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 26, 1993, about 1200 central daylight time, a Piper, PA22-150; N6723B, was destroyed by post-impact fire shortly after takeoff. The private pilot and one passenger were both uninjured. The local pleasure flight was originating from West Plains Municipal Airport, West Plains, Missouri in visual meteorological conditions. The flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91 had no flight plan on file.
The pilot took-off on runway 36 and at 150 feet AGL the engine lost total power. The PIC checked the magnetos, mixture, carburetor heat, fuel selector, all to no avail. The pilot also tried pumping the engine primer. The PIC then turned the aircraft left to avoid some trees at the end of the runway. He landed the aircraft in a thicket of 6 foot bushes and blackberry briers to soften the impact.
When the aircraft stopped, the windscreen was gone, and the pilot and passenger climbed out through the windscreen area. The wreckage was completely engulfed in flames shortly thereafter.
The post-accident examination of the engine found all sparkplugs, except the lower #2 cylinder plug, fired normally. All four nuts attaching the carburetor to the engine were only hand tight, but the intake manifold gasket was in good condition. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction with airframe, engine or accessories was found.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI93LA278