# NTSB ATL88LA251: Piper PA-28R-200, N32105, Gray, GA, September 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1988, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Gray, GA
- Coordinates: 32.800251, -83.620491 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8003&lon=-83.6205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7813
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7813/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA251

## 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, maneuvering
  - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - missing (cause)
  - sabotage - intentional, unknown (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT AFTER COMPLETING A STALL SERIES THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BACKFIRE CONTINOUSLY & POWER WAS LOST SO THAT HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE AND A FENCE WAS HIT DURING THE LANDING ROLL. ENG HAD BEEN OVERHAULED & INSTALLED IN ACFT 36 HOURS PRIOR. FAA MAINTENANCE INSPECTOR DESCRIBED OVERHAUL AS GOOD. NO ENG MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN DONE SINCE ENG INSTALLED IN ACFT. ACFT WAS PARKED ON OUTSIDE RAMP. FAA INSPECTOR FOUND THE NUTS & LOCKWASHERS MISSING FROM THE NO. 3 CYLINDER VALVE ROCKER SHAFT HOLD DOWN PLATES WHICH ALLOWED THE EXHAUST ROCKER SHAFT TO BACK OUT OF THE CYLINDER AND THE INTAKE ROCKER SHAFT TO BACK OUT OF THE CYLINDER. RESULT WAS LOSS OF OPERATION OF THE NO. 3 CYLINDER & SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ALL REMAINING ROCKER SHAFT NUTS WERE TIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32105](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32105-2010-04-07), registration cancelled 2010-04-07, S/N 28R-7535025, built 1974 (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: 28R-7535025
- Airframe hours: 2156
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Miresse Aircraft, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1988, 36 hours before
- Departed: MAC, MACON, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,282 total, 70 in this make and model, 1,083 as pilot in command, 191 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN, 19 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 19880915038979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880915038979A), Sep 15, 1988: Piper PA28R200, Gray, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Hit fences landing in a field. Found cylinder valve rocker shaft missing. Suspect malicious tampering.

## Other investigations on N32105 (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 WPR09LA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA401), Aug 9, 2009: Piper PA-28R-200 (N32105), Gerlach, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s delay in aborting the takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.