# NTSB ATL91LA019: Piper PA-28-140, N8774N, Winston-Salem, NC, November 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1990, 18:13 local (23:13 UTC)
- Place: Winston-Salem, NC
- Coordinates: 36.009662, -80.179237 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0097&lon=-80.1792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8356
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8356/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA019

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF A PISTON PIN PLUG WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE AN INADEQUATE ENGINE OVERHAUL WHICH LED TO PREMATURE ENGINE WEAR, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPER MAINTENANCE FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE.

## 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,camshaft - worn (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,other - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED A ZERO OIL PRESSURE INDICATION. AFTER TURNING BACK TO THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE RPM BEGAN TO DECAY, THEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN A LAKE ABOUT THREE MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. TEARDOWN ANALYSIS OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A FAILED #1 CYLINDER PISTON PIN PLUG. THE INTAKE LOBES ON THE CAMSHAFT WERE SEVERLY WORN, AND THE INTAKE TAPPET BODIES WERE SEVERELY SPALLED. THREE CONNECTING RODS WERE ALSO FOUND TO HAVE FAILED. THE OIL PRESSURE SCREEN WAS CONTAMINATED WITH FERROUS AND NON-FERROUS PARTICLES. THE PILOT REPORTED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE ON ANOTHER FLIGHT A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8774N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8774N-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 28-25598, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25598
- Airframe hours: 4990
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joyce, William D.
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1990, 315 hours before
- Destination: CRE, MYRTLE BEACH, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 492 total, 310 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: INT, 3 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 19901120051519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901120051519A), Nov 20, 1990: Piper PA28140, Winston Salem, NC, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine siezed. Force landed in lake. Piston pin failed. Prior oil pressure loss not investigated

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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