# NTSB ATL82DA028: Piper PA-28R-200, N2139T, Gastonia, NC, January 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1982, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Gastonia, NC
- Coordinates: 35.209396, -81.230995 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2094&lon=-81.2310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA028

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil seal - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,hydraulic pitch ctl - fluctuating
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine assembly - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE PROPELLER SPEED WENT TO 3000 RPM. THE PILOT RETARDED THE PROP CONTROL, AND MAINTAINED 2400 RPM. HE PROCEEDED TO THE GASTONIA AIRPORT AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. A GROUND RUN-UP WAS MADE AND ALL INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS CHECKED NORMAL. HOWEVER, THE PILOT DID NOT SHUTDOWN THE ENGINE OR EXIT THE AIRCRAFT. A WITNESS OBSERVED OIL ON THE AIRCRAFT, BUT BEFORE HE GOT TO THE PLANE, THE PILOT TOOK- OFF. THE WITNESS SAW OIL ON THE RAMP WHERE THE AIRCRAFT HAD STOPPED. LATER AT 1600 FEET MSL, THE ENGINE WENT TO 3000 RPM AND THE PILOT NOTED A DROP IN OIL PRESSURE. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK AND LOSE POWER. THE LEFT GEAR FAILED DURING LANDING IN A SMALL PASTURE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED OIL HAD ESCAPED FROM THE BASE OF THE OIL FILTER, WHERE THE OIL SEAL WAS OUT OF ITS GROOVE. A 100 HOUR INSPECTION HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON THE PREVIOUS DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2139T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2139T), registered now, S/N 28R-7135145, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7135145
- Airframe hours: 13344
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Southeast Airmotive Corp
- Registered owner: Southeast Airmotive Corp
- Departed: 1A5, CHARLOTTE, NC
- Destination: CLT, FRANKLIN, NC
- Airport: 0A6

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,525 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 268 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 122 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820105000289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820105000289A), Jan 5, 1982: Piper PA28R200, Gastonia, NC, Substantial damage. Landed due engine surge. Checked mags then departed. Witness saw oil leak. Engine seized. Oil filter misaligned.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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