# NTSB ATL85LA217: Piper PA-28-180, N779VM, Franklin, NC, July 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1985, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, NC
- Coordinates: 35.179622, -83.380538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1796&lon=-83.3805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - engine assembly,push rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - inadvertent use, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLT ENG RPM DECREASED. PLT ACTIONS TO RECOVER RPM WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND ENG EVENTUALLY QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE TO AN EMPTY FLD. ON ROLL OUT THE ACFT HIT A CONCEALED DITCH RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. LATER, EXMINATION OF THE ENG SHOWED THAT THE #3 EXHAUST VALVE HAD SEIZED IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION AND THE CORRESPONDING PUSHROD WAS BROKEN. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE VALVE HAD NOT BEEN SEATED FOR SOME TIME WITH CARBON BUILDUP ON THE VALVE AND VALVE SEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N779VM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N779VM-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 28-4699, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4699
- Airframe hours: 4338
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Over The Hill Flyers Ltc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984
- Departed: HSV, HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Destination: NORFOLK, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 646 total, 122 in this make and model, 536 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 45 nm away

## 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 19850713038589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850713038589A), Jul 13, 1985: Piper PA28180, Franklin, NC, Substantial damage. Seized exhaust valve caused engine power loss. Landed in a field but ran into a concealed ditch on rollout.

## Other investigations on N779VM (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC77FHJ14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FHJ14), Mar 31, 1977: Piper PA-28 (N779VM), Flushing, NY, substantial damage

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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