# NTSB CEN22LA115: Piper PA-28R-201, N5145W, Olathe, KS, February 4, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 4, 2022, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Olathe, KS - Coordinates: 38.847598, -94.737584 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8476&lon=-94.7376&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104602 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104602/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104602 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA115 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=7102816), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot landed at the airport and added fuel to the airplane. On departure, when the airplane was about 700 ft above ground level, the engine stopped producing power. Recorded engine data showed a decrease in engine rpm, cylinder head temperature, and exhaust gas temperature about 2 minutes after takeoff. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and wings. An examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The engine’s throttle body and fuel flow divider were sent for further examination. The bench test of the fuel servo indicated that the fuel flow was within tolerances; however, the idle fuel flow was lean with the metering head increased to the maximum limit. The examination of fuel servo and fuel flow divider found contamination with a substance consistent with a lubricant normally used during the assembly of the fuel servo. The fuel flow was within tolerances, and it is unlikely that the contamination would have resulted in the loss of engine power. Investigators were unable to determine the reason for the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On February 4, 2022, about 1212 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R-201 airplane, N5145W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Olathe, Kansas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot had landed at the Olathe-Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC), Olathe, Kansas, and added fuel to the airplane. On departure, when the airplane was about 700 ft above ground level, the engine sustained a total loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and wings. The airplane was equipped with a JP Instrument Engine Data Monitor 730 which recorded several parameters during the accident flight. The recording started about 1200 and about 1209 the parameters recorded were consistent with a takeoff. About 1210:50, the engine rpm decreased to about 1,500 rpm and the exhaust gas temperature and cylinder head temperature decreased. The recording ended about 1212:50. An examination of the engine and fuel system conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration did not reveal preimpact anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. The engine’s fuel servo and fuel flow divider were sent for further examination and a bench test. The bench test of the fuel servo indicated that the fuel flow was within tolerances; however, the idle fuel flow was lean with the metering head increased to the maximum limit. An examination of fuel servo and fuel flow divider found contamination with a substance consistent with Krytox, a lubricant normally used during the assembly of the fuel servo. A fuel sample taken from the truck that fueled the airplane was free of contamination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5145W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5145W-2025-03-08), registration cancelled 2025-03-08, S/N 28R-7837098, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7837098 - Year built: 1977 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-C1C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Two Wings And A Prayer LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: OJC, Olathe, KS - Airport: OJC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.45 inHg - Observed at: KOJC - METAR: KOJC 041753Z 25011KT 10SM CLR M04/M17 A3045 RMK AO2 SLP328 T10391172 11039 21150 58006 ## 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 20220204000879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220204000879A), Feb 4, 2022: Piper PA-28R-201, Olathe, KS, Destroyed. During climb out from runway 18 at kojc, the aircraft lost engine power for unknown reasons and crashed into trees approximately one half a mile southwest of… ## Other investigations on N5145W (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 SEA81DYM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81DYM03), Oct 4, 1980: Piper PA-28R (N5145W), Nehalem, OR, substantial damage ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104602. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16862271&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Memorandum notification (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16724560&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20Initial%20Notification-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16880192&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN22LA115%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Exam%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Engine data monitor - specialist's factual report (item 4, PDF, 9 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15808093&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Data%20Monitor%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report_CEN22LA115-Rel.pdf - Attachment 1 to engine data monitor - specialist's factual report_tabular data (item 5, CSV, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15808667&FileExtension=csv&FileName=Attachment%201%20to%20Engine%20Data%20Monitor%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report_CEN22LA115_Tabular%20Data-Rel.csv - Attachment 2 to engine data monitor - specialist's factual report_tabular data (item 6, CSV, 432 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15809283&FileExtension=csv&FileName=Attachment%202%20to%20Engine%20Data%20Monitor%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report_CEN22LA115_Tabular%20Data-Rel.csv - Record of conversation FAA fuel servo exam (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16844092&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20FAA%20Fuel%20Servo%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 8, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 643 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16725532&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%203-Rel.pdf - Log excerpt overhaul (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16862707&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=scan_mgray_2024-03-13-16-38-38_Redacted-Rel.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.