# NTSB CHI89FA005: Piper PA-28, N4608R, Schaumburg, IL, October 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1988, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Schaumburg, IL
- Coordinates: 42.030101, -88.080047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0301&lon=-88.0800&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 31, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14234
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14234/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA005

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL STARVATION AND THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED EMERGENCY LANDING, DURING WHICH THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND A SWIMMING POOL, BEFORE COMING TO REST ON THE GROUND AND A CHAIN LINK FENCE.

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 1900' MSL, APRX 15 MI NORTH OF THE DEPARTURE ARPT, THE PLT NOTED A GRADUAL DECREASE IN ENG RPM. HE APPLIED CARB HEAT & TURNED BACK TOWARD THE ARPT, BUT THE ENG CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A STREET. A FIRE ERUPTED IN THE ENG COMPARTMENT AFTER THE PLANE CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED A CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED & PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE ENG, ALLOWING OIL TO BE PORTED INTO THE ENG COMPARTMENT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ROD HAD FAILED FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4608R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4608R-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 28-21357, built 1966 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21357
- Airframe hours: 2629
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brezina, John C.
- Registered owner: Brezina, John C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1988, 32 hours before
- Departed: 06C, SCHAUMBURG, IL
- Destination: WI47, WASHINGTON IS, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,550 total, 200 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORD, 10 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 19881008045829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881008045829A), Oct 8, 1988: Piper PA28140, Schaumburg, IL, Destroyed. Shortly after takeoff en route, crashed into trees in a yard. Rod knocked hole in case, lost oil.

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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