Piper PA-28-151 N44678

Summary

On 22 September 1990 at about 12:30 local time, a Piper PA-28-151 registered N44678 was involved in an accident near Palmetto, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

22 September 1990 at 12:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Palmetto, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

South Fulton Skyport (8A9)

Coordinates

33.5198, -84.6598

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-151

Registration

N44678

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL90LA174

2 people had minor injuries.

THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE STICKING IN THE CLOSED POSITION, WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL POWER LOSS DURING THE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, IN THAT HE DID NOT CORRECTLY ANALYZE THE ENGINE PROBLEM PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING PREFLIGHT, THE PILOT OBSERVED A VIBRATION AFTER ENGINE START. HE ASSUMED HE HAD A FOULED SPARK PLUG AND LEANED THE MIXTURE. HE THEN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. AFTER RE-START, HE STATED THAT THE VIBRATION HAD CEASED. AT ABOUT 25 FEET AGL ON INITIAL CLIMBOUT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH SOME POWER LINES AND A TRAILER PRIOR TO IMPACTING TERRAIN. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A STUCK NUMBER TWO EXHAUST VALVE. A WITNESS ON THE GROUND STATED THAT HE HEARD A 'HISSING' NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE DURING THE PREFLIGHT GROUND RUN. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT THE PILOT PERFORMED BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX MAGNETO CHECKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.