- Date
- May 13, 1995, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place
- Dubois, PA
- Injuries
- 2 serious
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N9672WPiper PA-28-140
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 19, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950513011779A
- Case key
- 9046
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The failure of valve springs in the number two engine cylinder which resulted in a total loss of engine power during initial climb. The unsuitable terrain encountered during the subsequent forced landing was a factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that at approximately 1,000 feet above the ground during takeoff climb, the airplane's engine lost total power. The pilot made a forced landing in a soft field, and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the two intake valve springs in the number two cylinder had failed. The valve spring fracture surfaces were 'corroded and pitted.' The engine had accumulated 13.7 hours since it received a major overhaul.
Factual narrative
On May 13, 1995, at 1050 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N9672W, lost total engine power during takeoff climb from runway 25 at the Dubois-Jefferson County Airport, Dubois, Pennsylvania. A forced landing was made in a field near the airport. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The local personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of about 2,800 feet mean sea level, the engine lost power. The pilot wrote, "Heard a loud 'pop' then the engine went from full power to idle. Was going back to (N97). Picked out a farmer's field and went for it. Hit plowed area [and] turned over."
Witnesses stated that they heard the airplanes engine "sputtering" and "cutting out" prior to its touchdown on the field.
Postaccident examination revealed the airplane touched down on a soft, soil field. The airplane nosed over damaging the outboard section of the left wing, vertical fin, rudder, nose gear, nose gear cowling, engine mount, and fuselage skin. Fuel was found throughout the airplane's fuel system.
The airplane and engine were transported to a storage facility for further examination. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Safety Inspector, "Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the two intake valve springs in the number two cylinder had failed." The inspector stated that the valve spring fracture surfaces were "corroded and pitted."
According to the airplane's owner, the engine had accumulated 13.7 hours since it received a major overhaul.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N9672W
- Reported as
- Piper PA-28-140
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 28-23136
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Robert E. Gearhart
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · September 20, 1994 · 14 hours before
- Departed
- N97
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 50
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 127 total · 127 in this make and model · 44 as pilot in command · 3 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- DUJ
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.