Primary finding
Probable cause
The poor inspection of the aircraft during the annual inspection by maintenance personnel. A factor in the accident was the foreign object found in the carburetor bowl.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
An annual inspection of the aircraft was completed on march 1, 1994. This was to be the second flight of the aircraft following the inspection. The pilot reported that after departure, at an altitude of approximately 1700 feet, the engine stopped producing power. An emergency landing was executed into a freshly plowed field. During the landing roll, the aircraft nosed over and was substantially damaged. Inspection of the aircraft engine revealed that a foreign object (appeared to be a piece of electrical tape) was lodged in the carburetor bowl. The pilot/owner reported that the mechanic, who conducted the annual inspection, stated to him that during the post maintenance flight following the inspection, the engine seemed to be missing. The mechanic was reported as stating that there might be some trash in the fuel lines or carburetor, but that he was unable to locate the source of the problem.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 12, 1994, about 0930 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-22-160, N8647D, was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain during a forced landing near Columbia, South Carolina. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Columbia, South Carolina, about 0915. The pilot stated that during cruise flight at 1700 feet above mean sea level, the aircraft engine stopped producing power. The pilot executed a forced landing in a plowed field, and during the roll-out, the aircraft nosed over. An examination of the aircraft engine revealed that there was a foreign object which appeared to be a piece of electrical tape lodged in the carburetor bowl. The aircraft had undergone an annual inspection on March 1, 1994. This was the second flight of the aircraft following the inspection. The pilot/owner stated that the mechanic who performed the inspection stated that during the post inspection flight, the engine seemed to be misfiring. The mechanic was reported as stating that there might be some trash in the fuel line or carburetor, but that he was unable to locate the problem. The pilot/owner failed to complete the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. -