# NTSB CHI83LA120: Piper PA-32R-300, N38855, Ely, MN, February 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1983, 11:08 local (17:08 UTC)
- Place: Ely, MN
- Coordinates: 47.899112, -91.850547 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8991&lon=-91.8505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12096
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12096/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA120

## 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, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - maintenance,lubrication - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly - overtemperature (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

ABOUT 2 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 1,000 FT AGL, THE ENG SIEZED. THE PLT THEN GLIDED ONTO A FROZEN LAKE. THE ACFT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT ANNUAL INSPECTION. THE LAST OIL CHANGE RECORDED WAS DURING THE ANNUAL ON 7/15/81. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED SEVERE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. CONRODS 1,2,3 & 4 WERE BURNED OUT & BROKEN AT THE CRANKSHAFT ENDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38855](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38855-1989-09-15), registration cancelled 1989-09-15, S/N 32R7780483 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3600
- Airframe hours: 1452
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-KIG5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mapes Industries, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1981, 144 hours before
- Destination: LINCOLN, NE
- Airport: ELO, Ely Municipal, runway 12, 5,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 300 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F

## 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 19830225005429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830225005429A), Feb 25, 1983: Piper PA32R300, Ely, MN, Substantial damage. Lost oil on climbout. Engine blew up. Oil cap not secured. No oil change last 2 years. Aircraft annual had expired.

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.

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