# NTSB CHI88LA220: Piper PA-28R-200, N5140S, Gary, IN, August 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1988, 21:30 local (Aug 27, 1988, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Gary, IN
- Coordinates: 41.56908, -87.259689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5691&lon=-87.2597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14151/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA220

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE POWERPLANT DUE TO AN OIL LEAK AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING INTO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING OVER LAKE MICHIGAN AT NGT, A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE OCCURRED WHICH WAS QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE PLT PERFORMED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES & PREPARED FOR A FORCED LANDING. HE WAS ABLE TO GLIDE TO SHORE, BUT DUE TO 'INDUSTRIAL TERRAIN' ALONG THE SHORELINE, HE ELECTED TO DITCH THE ACFT IN LAKE MICHIGAN NEAR THE SHORE. AFTER DITCHING, HE EXITED THE ACFT & SWAM TO A BREAKWATER AND THE ACFT SANK. HE WAS RESCUED ABOUT 5 HRS LATER & WAS TREATED FOR HYPOTHERMIA. THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE LAKE. NO MECHANICAL REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE.

## 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-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7135162
- Airframe hours: 3390
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Boersma, Henry L.
- Registered owner: Boersma, Henry L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 1988, 43 hours before
- Departed: 08C, JENISON, MI
- Destination: 3HA, LANSING, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,952 total, 950 in this make and model, 1,892 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F
- Observed at: CGX, 20 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 19880826071079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880826071079A), Aug 26, 1988: Piper PA28R200, Gary, IN, Destroyed. Report oil pressure loss and engine failure. Ditched in lake outside a breakwater. No evidence that engine failed.

## 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 CHI87LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA097), Mar 13, 1987: Piper PA-28R (N5140S), Holland, MI, substantial damage

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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