Piper PA-28-181 N3477Q

Summary

On 6 July 1999 at about 15:15 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 registered N3477Q was involved in an accident near San Luis Obispo, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 July 1999 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

San Luis Obispo, California, United States

Coordinates

35.2509, -120.6205

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-181

Registration

N3477Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Santa Monica

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX99LA234

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to contamination of the induction system and the carburetor throat. Factors in the accident were a prior undetected carburetor fire, which caused a deterioration in the air duct material.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student obtained an instrument departure clearance to climb to VFR on top for a cross-country flight. After reaching VFR on top, the engine rpm decreased to about 1,800 and then to 1,500. Following unsuccessful attempts to restore power, the instructor descended through the stratus cloud deck and became VFR about 700-800 feet msl. The power level was insufficient to reach the airport and he landed in an open field. Examination of the carburetor revealed a fibrous material inside the throat similar to the lining found inside the intake duct. The duct had evidence of a prior carburetor fire, which had caused a deterioration of the duct. The last maintenance inspection on this rental aircraft was 50 hours prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.