# NTSB CHI87DEM10: Piper PA-25-235, N8972Y, Marne, MI, July 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1987, 06:45 local (10:45 UTC)
- Place: Marne, MI
- Coordinates: 43.029949, -85.820327 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0299&lon=-85.8203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEM10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEM10

## 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, maneuvering - aerial application
  - accessory drive assy,drive gear - failure,partial (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A SWATH RUN WHILE ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE WAY THROUGH THE PROCEDURE TURN AROUND, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE PILOT EXTENDED HIS GLIDE TO CLEAR POWERLINES AND WHEN HE FLARED TO LAND HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO STOP THE DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED MALFUNCTION DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE DRIVE TRAIN GEARS, SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS USING AUTOGAS WITHOUT STC APPROVAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8972Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8972Y-2019-05-06), registration cancelled 2019-05-06, S/N 25-7405593 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-7405593
- Airframe hours: 2095
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2-C5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: George R. Stevenson, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1987, 56 hours before
- Departed: HOWARD CITY, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 7,004 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 7,001 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 16 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 19870720039699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870720039699A), Jul 20, 1987: Piper PA25235, Marne, MI, Substantial damage. The aircraft nosed over on landing after engine failure. Crankshaft idler gear broken. Auto fuel used without STC.

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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