# NTSB CHI88DEM01: North American T-28A, N14142, Schoolcraft, MI, February 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1988, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Schoolcraft, MI
- Coordinates: 42.10958, -85.63005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1096&lon=-85.6300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEM01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE THE PILOT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 7800 MSL HE NOTICED A VAPOR TRAIL COMING FROM THE RIGHT EXHAUST AREA. THE PILOT NOTIFIED APPROACH CONTROL THAT HE WAS RETURNING TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND THEY SUPPLIED RADAR VECTORS. THE PILOT STARTED A DESCENT AND DURING THIS TIME THE ENGINE POWER FADED FAST. CONSEQUENTLY HE DECIDED HE WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT BACK. THE PILOT CONTACTED APPROACH WHO THEN VECTORED HIM TO A SMALL AIRPORT APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AWAY. THE PREMATURE DESCENT ALSO PLACED THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT OUT OF RANGE. THE PILOT CHOSE AN OPEN FIELD TO LAND IN. ABOUT 15 FT ABOVE THE GROUND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. IT IMPACTED THE GROUND HARD ON ALL THREE LANDING GEAR. THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE #4 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14142](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14142), registered now, S/N 51-3756, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN T-28A
- Registry model: [North American T-28A](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-t-28a) (registry code 6402504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Wright R-1820-86](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-r-1820-86) (registry code 67200, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51-3756
- Airframe hours: 3100
- Engines: WRIGHT R-1820-86D 1200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grafton Insurance Agency, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1987, 5 hours before
- Departed: AZO, KALAMAZOO, MI
- Destination: C31, HARTFORD, WI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,915 total, 450 in this make and model, 4,710 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AZO, 7 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 19880224003389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880224003389A), Feb 24, 1988: Namer T28A, Schoolcraft, MI, Substantial damage. Exhaust valve failed caused engine destruction while returning from engine overhaul. Crash landed in a field.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.