On December 27, 1989, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N2443K) was involved in an aviation accident near Selmer, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR TO PLACE THE ENGINE MIXTURE CONTROL IN THE RICH POSITION PRIOR TO BEGINNING TRAFFIC PATTERN MANEUVERS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During touch-and-go landing practice, the engine failed on approach. A forced landing was made in a field, resulting in landing gear damage. Post-accident inspection revealed white spark plug electrodes, and a subsequent test with a lean mixture reproduced the coloration.
Overview
An instructor and a private-rated student were practicing touch-and-go landings. During the third approach, while abeam the runway numbers on the downwind leg, the engine stopped producing power. The instructor instructed the student to fly toward the runway while attempting to restart the engine, but the restart was unsuccessful. A forced landing was executed in an open field.
Damage
During the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed, and one main landing gear was torn away from the aircraft. The extent of other damage is not specified in the report.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector examined the engine after the accident. The inspector noted that the spark plug electrodes were white in color. Further testing was conducted: the engine was operated with a very lean mixture setting, and afterward the spark plug electrodes exhibited the same white coloration as those observed after the accident.