# NTSB CHI03LA043: Piper PA-28-235, N8555W, Carleton, MI, December 22, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 22, 2002, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Carleton, MI - Coordinates: 42.018054, -83.37722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0181&lon=-83.3772&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Detroit FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56242 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56242/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA043 ## Probable cause The #2 cylinder exhaust valve failed due to undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the soft terrain encountered during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload ## Analysis The nose gear collapsed during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that while en route to his destination, the engine power dropped to 1,300 rpm. He stated he applied carburetor heat, turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, and switched fuel tanks to no avail. The pilot reported that the passenger checked the engine instruments and all indications were normal. The pilot contacted the Willow Run Air Traffic Control Tower and informed them of the situation, stating that he was going to land at their airport. After turning toward the airport, the pilot determined he was not going be able to reach the airport, so he pilot selected a plowed field in which to land. The nose gear collapsed during the landing and the airplane came to rest on the engine cowling and main landing gear. Examination of the engine revealed the #2 cylinder exhaust valve was broken off and a piece of the #2 cylinder was missing. Portions of the exhaust valve and valve stem were recovered from the engine. Visual examination revealed the fractured surfaces were deformed and obscured by impact damage to such a degree that the failure mode could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On December 22, 2002, at 1700 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-235, N8555W, operated by a commercial pilot, experienced a nose gear collapse during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane received substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The last leg of the flight originated at Pontiac, Michigan, at 1615. The pilot reported that while en route to his destination, the engine power dropped to 1,300 rpm. He stated he applied carburetor heat, turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, and switched fuel tanks to no avail. The pilot reported that the passenger checked the engine instruments and all indications were normal. The pilot contacted the Willow Run Air Traffic Control Tower and informed them of the situation, stating that he was going to land at their airport. After turning toward the airport, the pilot determined he was not going be able to reach the airport, so he pilot selected a plowed field in which to land. The nose gear collapsed during the landing and the airplane came to rest on the engine cowling and main landing gear. The airplane's engine was examined by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Detroit, Michigan, Flight Standards District Office. The inspectors reported that the number 2 cylinder exhaust valve was broken off and a piece of the number 2 cylinder was missing. Portions of the exhaust valve and valve stem were recovered from the engine. Visual examination revealed the fractured surfaces were deformed and obscured by impact damage to such a degree that the failure mode could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8555W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8555W), registered now, S/N 28-10069, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10069 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kyle D. Crossman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 2002 - Departed: PTK, Pontiac, MI - Destination: TFF, Monroe, MI - Airport: YIP, Willow Run ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 15, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 2,085 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,020 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 20 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: YIP, 18 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 20021222035669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021222035669A), Dec 22, 2002: Piper PA28235, Monroe, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) On 23 December, 2002. Investigating an accident PA-28-235, pilot stated that on taxi-out of pontiac airport (ptk) that the engine started missing and it… ## Other investigations on N8555W (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 LAX68F0385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68F0385), Mar 28, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N8555W), Santa Paula, CA, 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. --- 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.