# NTSB ATL92LA184: Piper PA-25-235, N6953Z, Powellsville, NC, September 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1992, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Powellsville, NC
- Coordinates: 36.230335, -76.900329 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2303&lon=-76.9003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA184

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE NO.1 EXHAUST VALVE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING FOR A SPRAYING  RUN. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING TO A SHORT FIELD, BUT GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH AUTOMOTIVE TRAFFIC ON AN ADJACENT PUBLIC ROAD. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE NO. 1 EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED, BUT THE FAILURE MODE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6953Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6953Z-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 25-2699, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-2699
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Zach, Herbert
- Registered owner: Zach, Herbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1992, 20 hours before
- Departed: WINDSOR, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,411 total, 307 in this make and model, 4,358 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ECG, 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 19920914041119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920914041119A), Sep 14, 1992: Piper PA25235, Powellsville, NC, Substantial damage. Engine failed maneuvering for swath run. NR1 cylinder failed after swallowing. Broken exhaust valve.

## Other investigations on N6953Z (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 ATL83LA335](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA335), Aug 16, 1983: Piper PA-25-235 (N6953Z), Baxley, GA, substantial damage

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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