# NTSB BFO95LA053: Piper PA-28-140, N9672W, Dubois, PA, May 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 1995, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Dubois, PA - Coordinates: 41.020931, -78.4309 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0209&lon=-78.4309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9046 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO95LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9046/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO95LA053 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,other - corroded (cause) - engine assembly,other - fractured (cause) - maintenance,overhaul,major - inadequate (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9672W-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 28-23136, built 1967 (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: 28-23136 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950513011779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950513011779A), May 13, 1995: Piper PA28140, Du Bois, PA, Substantial damage. Lost power climbout. Nosed over landing. Intake valves NR2 cyl failed. Valves corroded and pitted. 13HRS since tbo. 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.