Piper PA-22-108 accident near Perry, Georgia, January 6, 1999
On January 6, 1999 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-22-108, registered N4542Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Perry, Georgia (Middle Georgia Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The maintenance personnel incorrect adjustment of the intake and exhaust valves resulting in the induction system fire and subsequent loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 6, 1999 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Perry, Georgia · Middle Georgia Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-108 · all PA-22-108s on the register
- Registration
- N4542Z · registry record · serial 22-8047
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff while climbing through 200 feet, the engine rpm decreased to 1,500 rpm. He changed the throttle settings which had no effect and unable to maintain altitude, he maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing at a nearby sod farm. The airplane stalled, and landed hard just short of the intended touchdown location then nosed over. Examination of the airplane and engine by an FAA Airworthiness Inspector revealed that the fuel selector valve was improperly assembled; no detents could be felt. Also, cold differential compression readings for cylinder Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 were recorded to be 20, 19, 54, and 5 psi respectively. The No. 2 cylinder valves were adjusted and the cold compression reading increased to 50 plus psi. Fire damage was noted to the back side of the induction air filter assembly. The carburetor was found to contain a two-piece venturi when by an airworthiness directive, a one-piece venturi is required. The maintenance records indicated that a one-piece venturi was installed. The records also indicated that the rocker arms were adjusted on April 21, 1997. The airplane had accumulated approximately 85 hours since then at the time of the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 350 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,809 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 1998; 32 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 68GA at 4:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 12°F (-11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from MCN, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number MIA99LA065.