# NTSB ATL87FA136: Piper J4A, N25020, Collierville, TN, May 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1987, 14:52 local (19:52 UTC)
- Place: Collierville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.050788, -89.670364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0508&lon=-89.6704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA136

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - engine assembly,other - fatigue (cause)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - residence

## Analysis

IT WAS REPTD THAT THE PLT WAS TAKING HIS PAX UP FOR A LCL PHOTOGRAPHIC FLT AT THE REQ OF THE PAX. WITNESSES REPTD THAT THE ACFT REMAINED OVER THE APT FOR TWO OR THREE CIRCUITS AND THEN DEPTD THE AREA IN THE DIR OF COLLIERVILLE. WITNESSES NEAR THE CRASH SITE REPTD THAT THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE. IT WAS THEN REPTD THAT THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO BE IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT AND DIVE INTO A RESIDENCE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING. IN ADDITION, THE ENG PRIMER WAS FOUND UNLOCKED AND FOUR CYL HOLD DOWN STUDS FOR THE #2 CYL WERE FOUND FAILED AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE CRACKS. AN EXHAUST CRACK IN THE #2 CYL EXHAUST MANIFOLD EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF A 1/2 INCH LONG BLOWBY LEAK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25020](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25020-2000-06-26), registration cancelled 2000-06-26, S/N 4-792 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J4A
- Registry model: [Piper J4A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j4a) (registry code 7100604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4-792
- Airframe hours: 1091
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roy E. Degan, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1986, 37 hours before
- Departed: 54M, ROSSVILLE, TN
- Airport: 54M, Wolf River

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 25,800 total, 450 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 15 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 19870510014069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870510014069A), May 10, 1987: Piper J4A, Collierville, TN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine power loss during low level flight in steep turns. Impact in trees. Weather favorable for carburetor icing.

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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