# NTSB CHI87LA119: Piper PA-38-112, N23781, Kentland, IN, May 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1987, 19:30 local (May 1, 1987, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Kentland, IN
- Coordinates: 40.770401, -87.43901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7704&lon=-87.4390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13758
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13758/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA119

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - bent (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

PILOT REPORTED A LOSS OF POWER APPROX. 10 TO 30 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ALONG THE LEFT SIDE AND APPROX. 1500 FEET DOWN THE 3500-FOOT RUNWAY. INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE PROPELLER HAD BROKEN OFF THE CRANKSHAFT AND A PORTION OF THE CRANKSHAFT FLANGE WAS BENT AFT. A 1/2-INCH GOUGE IN THE RUNWAY NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS REPORTED. THE NOSE GEAR HAD COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23781 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A1052
- Airframe hours: 1962
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nick Kucki
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 1987, 17 hours before
- Airport: 50I, Kentland Muni, runway 9, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 895 total, 27 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 13 statute miles
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 30 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 19870430013109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870430013109A), Apr 30, 1987: Piper PA38112, Kentland, IN, Substantial damage. The aircraft lost power, made a hard forced landing. The propeller had broken off of the crankshaft.

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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