# NTSB CHI05LA073: Piper PA-28-140, N4468T, Macon, MO, February 25, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 25, 2005, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Macon, MO - Coordinates: 39.729133, -92.469497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7291&lon=-92.4695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 61088 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61088/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA073 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to failure of the engine exhaust valve. The pilot's inability to maintain clearance from obstacles, the trees, the residence and the pilot's evasive maneuver were factors in the accident. ## 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 - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - evasive maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - object - residence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was damaged when it impacted trees and a house during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported losing engine power while climbing through 4,200 feet. He reported that the engine was set to 2,500 rpm during the climb, and after hearing a loud noise from the engine, the tachometer read about 1,200 rpm. He stated that the engine was running rough and would only achieve 1,500 to 1,900 rpm at full throttle. He diverted to a nearby airport and executed a forced landing. During the landing, he realized he would not be able to stop before impacting trees at the end of the runway. The pilot then attempted to clear the trees at the end of the runway and land in a clearing on the opposite side. He stated that after clearing the trees, the airspeed started to fall rapidly and the airplane struck trees and came to rest on the roof of a house that he had not seen. Subsequent to the accident, the number four exhaust valve was found to be fractured. ## Factual narrative On February 25, 2005, about 0945 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N4468T, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it struck trees and a house during an attempted landing at the Macon-Fower Memorial Airport (K89), Macon, Missouri. The pilot reported that he experienced engine problems and was diverting to K89 when the accident occurred. The airplane was operating in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. A second passenger received serious injuries. The flight originated from the North Central Missouri Regional Airport, Brookfield, Missouri, at 0915, and was bound for the Creve Coeur Airport, St. Louis, Missouri. The pilot reported that while climbing through 4,200 feet, he heard a loud noise from the engine. He stated that the tachometer read 2,500 rpm during the climb and 1,200 rpm after hearing the noise. He stated that he applied throttle and the engine achieved between 1,500 and 1,900 rpm. He stated that there was heavy vibration and "banging" noises coming from the engine. The pilot said that he diverted to K89 and while landing he realized that he would not be able to stop the airplane before the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot then attempted to clear the trees at the end of the runway and land in a clearing on the opposite side. He stated that after clearing the trees, the airspeed started to fall rapidly and the airplane struck trees and came to rest on the roof of a house that he had not seen. Subsequent to the accident, the exhaust valve for the number four engine cylinder was found to be fractured. Pieces of the exhaust valve were found embedded in the top of the piston. The top of the piston and the cylinder head combustion chamber were found to have numerous dents. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4468T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4468T-2006-09-18), registration cancelled 2006-09-18, S/N 28-7225150, built 1972 (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: 28-7225150 - Airframe hours: 3437 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeffrey D Ashford - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2004, 25 hours before - Departed: MO8, Brookfield, MO - Destination: 1H0, St Louis, MO - Airport: K89, Macon-Fower Meml, runway 02, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,740 total, 460 in this make and model, 1,520 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KIRK, 23 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 20050225003329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050225003329A), Feb 25, 2005: Piper PA28140, Macon, MO, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft departed chillocothe, Missouri (CHT), enroute to st. louis, Missouri (1H0), via brookfield, Missouri (MO8). Pilot states that after departing… 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.