SAINT CHARLES, IL, USA
N5242T
PIPER PA-28R-200
THE PILOT TAXIED AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT DIFFICULTY, BUT NOTICED A GRADUAL LOSS OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE AS HE WAS PREPARING TO RETRACT THE GEAR. HE LANDED IN A NEARBY FIELD WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT DURING ROLLOUT, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DITCH, DRIVING THE RIGHT GEAR THROUGH THE WING SURFACE. INSPECTION REVEALED THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR HAD BROKEN FREE AND WAS SUCKED DOWN THE INTAKE TO THE FUEL CONTROLLER, RESTRICTING THE AIR FLOW. ONLY TWO HOURS HAD ELAPSED SINCE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION.
THE FAILURE OF THE MECHANIC TO PROPERLY INSPECT THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION. THIS FAILURE LED TO AIR STARVATION, LOSS OF POWER, AND A FORCED LANDING BY THE PILOT ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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