# NTSB CHI89DEK01: Piper PA-28, N40973, Albany, OH, June 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1989, 08:24 local (12:24 UTC)
- Place: Albany, OH
- Coordinates: 39.220859, -82.189285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2209&lon=-82.1893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEK01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEK01

## Probable cause

SEIZURE OF THE #4 EXHAUST VALVE AND BENDING OF ITS RESPECTIVE PUSH ROD, WHICH RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: LACK OF A SUITABLE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA, TREES, AND THE FENCE.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,push rod - bent (cause)
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - seized (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, A PARTIAL POWER LOSS OF THE ENG OCCURRED & THE PLT WAS FORCED TO LAND. UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT, HE SELECTED THE ONLY AVAILABLE LANDING SITE, WHICH WAS ABOUT 300 FT LONG & 200 WIDE. THIS AREA WAS BORDERED BY TREES & 30 FT POWER LINES. JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT WING SEVERED LEAVES FROM A TREE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT SLID INTO ANOTHER TREE & A FENCE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #4 EXHAUST VALVE WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION & ITS RESPECTIVE PUSH ROD WAS BENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40973](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40973-1990-03-13), registration cancelled 1990-03-13, S/N 287425197 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425197
- Airframe hours: 3929
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry K. Mcgrath
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1988, 55 hours before
- Departed: UNI
- Destination: I77, CINCINNATI, OH
- Airport: UNI, Ohio University, runway 25, 4,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 147 total, 143 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Observed at: LCK, 49 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 19890618016089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890618016089A), Jun 18, 1989: Piper STCPA28, Albany, OH, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Tried to return but crashed in a private yard. NR4 exhaust valve had seized.

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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