Piper PA 28-140 N1898J

Summary

On 27 June 1991 at about 20:15 local time, a Piper PA 28-140 registered N1898J, operated by Henry N. Halle, was involved in an accident near Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 June 1991 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Flagstaff, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

35.2900, -111.3190

Aircraft

Piper PA 28-140

Registration

N1898J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Henry N. Halle

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Flagstaff → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX91LA279

1 person had minor injuries.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PROPERLY LOCK THE ENGINE PRIMER CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVER RICH FUEL TO AIR MIXTURE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

A PIPER PA 28-140 COLLIDED WITH TREES AFTER A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE WAS EXAMINED BY THE FAA. SIX OF THE EIGHT SPARK PLUGS EXHIBITED SOOTY DARK ELECTRODES. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER, THE ELECTRODE APPEARANCE WAS INDICATIVE OF A RICH MIXTURE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL PRIMER REVEALED IT WAS UNLOCKED. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVER PRIMED OR RICH MIXTURE. THE RICH MIXTURE AND HIGH ALTITUDE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.