# NTSB ATL87LA188: Piper PA-28R-201T, N38344, Bowling Green, OH, June 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1987, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Bowling Green, OH
- Coordinates: 41.369796, -83.639442 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3698&lon=-83.6394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7465
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7465/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,cap - loose (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) RPRTD HE PREFLIGHTED THE ACFT & TAXIED TO THE REFUELING AREA. WHILE THERE, HE WAS APCHD BY ANOTHER PLT WHO WANTED TO GO WITH HIM ON THIS FLT. THEY AGREED & THE CFI MOVED TO THE RGT SEAT. THEY COMMENCED THE START-UP, RUN-UP & TAKEOFF CHECKLIST. THE CFI RPRTD THAT AFTER CLIMBING ABOUT 150', THE ENG LOST POWER. A TURN WAS MADE AWAY FM BLDGS & HOMES FOR AN EMERG LNDG IN A FLD. JUST BFR REACHING THE FLD, THE RGT WING HIT THE TOP CROSS PIECE OF A TELEPHONEPOLE, THEN THE ACFT CRASHED TO THE GND & WAS EXTENSIVELY DMGD. THE PLT RPRTD THAT JUST BFR IMPACT, THE ENG STARTED TO REGAIN POWER. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THERE WAS MOISTURE IN THE CYLINDERS. THE LEFT FUEL TANK CONTAINED FUEL WITH NO CONTAMINATION, BUT THE RGT TANK HAD RUPTURED & FUEL HAD SPILLED OUT. A CHECK OF THE RGT FUEL CAP REVEALED IT WOULD ALLOW WATER TO LEAK IN. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE CAP WERE TOO LONG & THE CAP COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED FOR A TIGHTER FIT. THE MIXTURE CTL CABLE HAD PULLED OUT OF A FITTING ON THE CARBURETOR, BUT IT SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF SLIPPAGE BFR IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38344](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38344-1993-03-05), registration cancelled 1993-03-05, S/N 28R7703203 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7703203
- Airframe hours: 1369
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-F 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Vinicio A.Mota
- Registered owner: Moth Vinicio A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 19, 1987, 95 hours before
- Airport: 1G0, Wood Co., runway 24, 2,795 × 48 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,840 total, 205 in this make and model, 2,693 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FDY, 23 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 19870625027049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870625027049A), Jun 25, 1987: Piper PA28R201T, Bowling Green, OH, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Struck a powerline and crashed. Water found on piston heads. Fuel tank caps were leaking.

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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