# NTSB CHI90LA126: Piper PA28-140, N6369W, Bad Axe, MI, April 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1990, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Bad Axe, MI
- Coordinates: 43.800323, -82.990829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8003&lon=-82.9908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA126

## Probable cause

TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWERPLANT DURING THE FINAL APPROACH FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH AT ABOUT 200 TO 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE EDGE OF A DITCH ON AIRPORT PROPERTY, SHORT OF THE LANDING RUNWAY. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE AND SYSTEMS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION, AND AN ENGINE RUN-UP WAS SUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE 'PROBABLY COULD HAVE GOT IT RESTARTED...BUT I ONLY HAD 200 FEET OF ALTITUDE. I PUMPED THE THROTTLE AND THAT PROBABLY JUST MADE IT WORSE...(I SHOULD HAVE) JUST LEFT IT WIDE OPEN, IT MIGHT HAVE RESTARTED.' HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD FLOWN THE AIRCRAFT 1.5 HOURS SINCE HE PURCHASED IT; PRIOR TO THAT IT HAD NOT FLOWN FOR ABOUT A YEAR. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6369W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6369W), registered now, S/N 28-20429, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- 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: 28-20429
- Airframe hours: 1782
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Engler, Alan W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1990, 2 hours before
- Airport: 76D, Huron County Memorial, runway 21, 3,500 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,753 total, 900 in this make and model, 13,532 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19900422015439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900422015439A), Apr 22, 1990: Piper PA28140, Bad Axe, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on short final. Landed short and struck a ditch. Engine ran normal in run up after accident.

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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