# NTSB CHI89DEC02: Piper PA-28R-201, N3536M, Brighton, MI, January 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1989, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Brighton, MI
- Coordinates: 42.530788, -83.779945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5308&lon=-83.7799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 81-11-02 R1](https://openairdocs.org/ad/81-11-02-R1) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEC02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEC02

## Probable cause

INSTALLATION OF AN IMPROPER OIL DRAIN VALVE BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE APPLICABLE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (AD 81-11-02/R1), RESULTING IN SUBSEQUENT INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE LANDING GEAR AND OIL DRAIN VALVE.  THIS CAUSED THE VALVE TO MOVE OPEN & LEAK, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ALL ENGINE OIL.

## 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
  - lubricating system,oil quickdrain/drain plug - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not followed, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil quickdrain/drain plug - open (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT WHEN HE NOTICED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS DECREASING RAPIDLY. HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING, BUT THE ENGINE SEIZED BEFORE HE COULD REACH THE SELECTED AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A WHEELS UP LANDING. INITIAL TOUCHDOWN WAS ON A GRAVEL ROAD AND THE ACFT HIT A BERM BEFORE SLOWING TO A STOP. AN EXAM OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE REVEALED AN OIL (QUICK) DRAIN VALVE (AEROQUIP PN: AE80664H) HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON 7/10/87. IT WAS INSTALLED WITH A 4-3/8 INCH HOSE THAT EXTENDED BELOW THE ENGINE RESERVOIR, IN THE VICINITY OF THE LANDING GEAR. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE DRAIN VALVE WAS PUSHED OPEN BY MOVEMENT OF THE LANDING GEAR AS IT WAS BEING RETRACTED. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF OIL & SUBSEQUENT ENGINE SEIZURE. THIS DRAIN VALVE WAS NOT APPROVED FOR INSTALLATION ON THIS MODEL OF AIRCRAFT. PIPER SERVICE LETTER 910 & AD 81-11-02/R1 SPECIFIED USE OF ANOTHER VALVE (PIPER PN: 492-172V).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3536M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3536M-1989-06-13), registration cancelled 1989-06-13, S/N 28R7837121 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7837121
- Airframe hours: 1333
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David J. Schwartz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1988, 119 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Destination: JXN, JACKSON, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 674 total, 268 in this make and model, 569 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 38 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 19890121001019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890121001019A), Jan 21, 1989: Piper PA28R201, Brighton, MI, Substantial damage. Engine lost oil and seized on takeoff. Crash landed. Incorrect oil drain valve opened by retracting nose gear.

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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