BAGDAD, AZ, USA
N3064Z
PIPER PA22-160
WHILE AT NORMAL CRUISE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND LOSE POWER. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN THE SPARSELY POPULATED DESERT. DURING THE LANDING FLARE THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE ALTITUDE AND LANDED HARD. THE TWO REAR PASSENGERS, THINKING THERE WAS A FIRE ONBOARD, RELEASED THEIR SEAT BELTS BEFORE THE LANDING AND WERE EJECTED THROUGH THE DOOR ON TOUCHDOWN. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THE SODIUM FILLED EXHAUST VALVE FAILED IN FATIGUE.
THAT THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE ALTITUDE. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST VALVE AND THE PILOT'S ANXIETY DURING THE EMERGENCY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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