# NTSB CEN11LA441: Piper PA-28-180, N56417, Flippin, AR, July 1, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 2011, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Flippin, AR - Coordinates: 36.220184, -92.679351 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2202&lon=-92.6794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80965 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA441 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80965/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80965 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA441 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to improper maintenance and resultant oil starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng rear section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058540): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058540/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058540/cases.md) - [Vacuum system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023700/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023700/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While in cruise flight the pilot noted a decrease in engine rpm. He began to troubleshoot the problem and reversed course to head toward more favorable terrain for a forced landing. After completing the turn, the engine seized, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a pasture. During the landing roll, the right wing impacted a bale of hay, resulting in substantial damage. An examination of the engine revealed that the loss of engine power and resultant seizure was due to a loss of engine oil. Further examination revealed that the bolts on the vacuum pump were loose and the engine oil was exiting at that location. An examination of the airframe and remaining systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 2011, approximately 1100 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N56417, was substantially damaged when it impacted a bale of hay during a forced landing near Flippin, Arkansas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to Mid-South Specialty Construction LLC., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Mountain Home, Arkansas, and was en route to Marshall, Arkansas. According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight when he noted a decrease in engine rpm. The pilot began to troubleshoot the decrease and reversed course to head towards more favorable terrain for a forced landing. After completing the turn, the engine seized. The pilot performed a forced landing to a pasture. During the landing roll, the right wing impacted a bale of hay, separating the right wing from the fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the airplane had just undergone maintenance. An examination of the engine revealed that the loss of engine power and resultant seizure was due to a loss of engine oil. Further examination revealed that the bolts on the vacuum pump were loose and the engine oil was exiting at this location. An examination of the airframe and remaining systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56417](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56417-2012-04-27), registration cancelled 2012-04-27, S/N 287305589, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 287305589 - Airframe hours: 2415 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2011 - Departed: KBPK, Mountain Home, AR - Destination: K4A5, Marshall, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 16, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 820 total, 317 in this make and model, 51 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KBPK, 20 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 20110701025099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110701025099A), Jul 1, 2011: Piper PA-28-180, Yellville, AR, Destroyed. On July 1, 2011, at approximately 1219 CDT, N56417, a Piper PA-28-180 aircraft, operated by a private pilot near Yellville, Arkansas experienced decaying… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80965. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Telephone Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350634&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.