# NTSB CHI87LA097: Piper PA-28R, N5140S, Holland, MI, March 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1987, 21:37 local (Mar 13, 1987, 02:37 UTC)
- Place: Holland, MI
- Coordinates: 42.769069, -86.100738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7691&lon=-86.1007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13745
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13745/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA097

## 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, descent - normal
  - engine assembly,ring - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - pressure too low
- Forced landing, landing
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE LOST OIL PRESSURE. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES AND THEN TOTALLY SEIZED. THE PILOT MADE A HARD LANDING ON 58TH STREET IN HOLLAND (THE ONLY AVAILABLE LANDING AREA HE COULD SEE IN THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS) RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED BROKEN PISTON RINGS IN THE NUMBER ONE CYLINDER, ALUMINUM SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE LUBRICATING SYSTEM AND SCORED AND BURNED BEARINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5140S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5140S-1990-08-16), registration cancelled 1990-08-16, S/N 28R7135162 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7135162
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry L. Boersma
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1987, 37 hours before
- Departed: 08C, JENISON, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,715 total, 1,150 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN

## 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 19870312007779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870312007779A), Mar 12, 1987: Piper PA28R200, Holland, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost power. Forced landing on a street. Hard landing. Found broken piston rings.

## Other investigations on N5140S (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 CHI88LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA220), Aug 27, 1988: Piper PA-28R-200 (N5140S), Gary, IN, destroyed. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE POWERPLANT DUE TO AN OIL LEAK AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING INTO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

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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