1991-05-21: Piper PA-22-160 — Steve/chris Napier — Mankato, MN

Casualties unknown • Mankato, MN, US

Probable cause

PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO AN UNLOCKED ENGINE PRIMER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THAT THE PRE TAKEOFF CHECK LIST WAS NOT FOLLOWED BY THE PILOT AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN A FARM FIELD WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAULTY ENGINE PRIMER LOCK. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUN UP AND THE PRIMER BECAME UNLOCKED, THE ENGINE RPM WOULD DROP, WHICH CONINCIDED WITH THE PILOT'S STATEMENT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-05-21 Piper PA-22-160 accident near Mankato, MN?

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED IN A FARM FIELD WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FAULTY ENGINE PRIMER LOCK. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUN UP AND THE PRIMER BECAME UNLOCKED, THE ENGINE RPM WOULD…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-05-21 involved a Piper PA-22-160, registration N2906Z, operated by Steve/chris Napier, at Mankato, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO AN UNLOCKED ENGINE PRIMER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THAT THE PRE TAKEOFF CHECK LIST WAS NOT FOLLOWED BY THE PILOT AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16954. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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