# NTSB CHI87DET08: Piper PA-28R-180, N7681J, Benton Harbor, MI, July 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1987, 14:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Benton Harbor, MI
- Coordinates: 42.110683, -86.43988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1107&lon=-86.4399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13601
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DET08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13601/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DET08

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - utility pole
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING TO ALTITUDE THE PILOT TRIED TO DECREASE POWER TO CRUISE CLIMB BUT HAD TO REDUCE POWER MORE TO CONTROL THE PROPELLER RPM. THE PILOT DECREASED THE POWER ONCE AGAIN AND SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SOCCER FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE, THEN TWO TELEPHONE POLES AND FINALLY CAME TO REST AGAINST A PARKED VEHICLE. POST ACC EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS ON CYLINDERS #3 & 4. NO REASON FOR THE LACK OF PROP CONTROL WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7681J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7681J-1992-09-28), registration cancelled 1992-09-28, S/N 28R31082 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R31082
- Airframe hours: 1794
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maurice R. Rushlow
- Registered owner: Tail Dragger Flyers, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 7, 1987, 23 hours before
- Departed: BEH, BENTON HARBOR, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 904 total, 49 in this make and model, 696 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BEH, 2 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 19870703032319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870703032319A), Jul 3, 1987: Piper PA28R180, Benton Harbor, MI, Destroyed. Engine quit. Forced landing in a soccer field. Hit a tree and telephone poles on rollout. Found failed cylinder.

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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