# NTSB ATL87LA231: Piper PA-28-235, N8661W, Knoxville, TN, August 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1987, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Knoxville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.910385, -83.869239 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9104&lon=-83.8692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA231

## 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
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG TAKEOFF, THE ACFT CLBD NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 100 TO 150 FT, THEN THE ENG LOST PWR W/O WARNING. HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS & TRIED TO RESTART THE ENG, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE ACFT WAS LNDD & SANK IN A RIVER, SHORT OF AN OPEN FLD. WHEN THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WATER, THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS FOUND ABOUT 1-1/8 INCH FROM THE FULL RICH POSITION. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE ENG WAS DRIED OUT & SERVICED WITH NEW OIL. AN ENG RUN WAS MADE, BUT THE POWER WAS LIMITED TO ABOUT 1500 RPM TO AVOID VIBRATION DUE TO A BENT PROP. THE PLT SAID THAT AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF, HE HAD LEANED THE MIXTURE DUE TO THE AMBIENT TEMP. THE 1452 TEMP AT KNOXVILLE WAS 88 DEG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8661W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8661W-2009-10-01), registration cancelled 2009-10-01, S/N 28-10794, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10794
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leonard K. Hasten
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1987
- Destination: BMI, BLOOMINGTON, IL
- Airport: DKX, Knoxville Downtown Island, runway 8, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 431 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 10 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 19870814045649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870814045649A), Aug 14, 1987: Piper PA28235, Knoxville, TN, Destroyed. Engine quit on initial climbout. Crash landed in river at end of runway. Had leaned mixture control for takeoff.

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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