# NTSB CHI89FA109: Piper PA-28R-200, N5242T, Saint Charles, IL, June 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1989, 15:16 local (20:16 UTC)
- Place: Saint Charles, IL
- Coordinates: 41.919982, -88.299194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9200&lon=-88.2992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA109

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE MECHANIC TO PROPERLY INSPECT THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR DURING ANNUAL INSPECTION. THIS FAILURE LED TO AIR STARVATION, LOSS OF POWER, AND A FORCED LANDING BY THE PILOT ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN.

## 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
  - induction air control,alternate air/door - separation (cause)
  - induction air control/system - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TAXIED AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT DIFFICULTY, BUT NOTICED A GRADUAL LOSS OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE AS HE WAS PREPARING TO RETRACT THE GEAR. HE LANDED IN A NEARBY FIELD WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT DURING ROLLOUT, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DITCH, DRIVING THE RIGHT GEAR THROUGH THE WING SURFACE. INSPECTION REVEALED THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR HAD BROKEN FREE AND WAS SUCKED DOWN THE INTAKE TO THE FUEL CONTROLLER, RESTRICTING THE AIR FLOW. ONLY TWO HOURS HAD ELAPSED SINCE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5242T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5242T-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 28R-7235203, built 1972 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7235203
- Airframe hours: 4483
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. R. Mccausland/K. A. Larson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: DPA, WEST CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: 3KM, WICHITA, KS
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: DPA, Dupage

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 740 total, 320 in this make and model, 59 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 1 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 19890616018019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890616018019A), Jun 16, 1989: Piper PA28R200, Chicago/West Ch, IL, Substantial damage. Manifold pressure drop on takeoff. Impacted ditch landing. Alternate air box door hinges broke. Door blocked air.

## Other investigations on N5242T (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 BFO94LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA127), Aug 6, 1994: Piper PA-28R-200 (N5242T), Edgewater, MD, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect water contaminated fuel which resulted in fuel starvation.

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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