# NTSB CHI93LA012: Piper PA-28-180, N7858N, Maryland Height, MO, October 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1992, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Maryland Height, MO
- Coordinates: 38.719097, -90.469757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7191&lon=-90.4698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA012

## Probable cause

BLOCKAGE OF THE INDUCTION AIR SYSTEM BY A MOUSE NEST.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - induction air control/system - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - berm
  - altitude - inadequate

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY THROUGH LIFTOFF. ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, RESTARTED, THEN QUIT AGAIN.  AFTER THE ACCIDENT, MOUSE NESTS WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND NEST DEBRIS WAS FOUND IN THE AIRDUCT AND AIRBOX.  THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN DURING A TEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7858N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7858N-1993-01-21), registration cancelled 1993-01-21, S/N 285316 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5316
- Airframe hours: 2931
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flotron, Francis E., Jr.
- Registered owner: Flotron, Francis E., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 1992, 84 hours before
- Departed: 02K
- Destination: AIZ, KAIZER, MO
- Airport: 02K, Arrowhead, runway 2, 2,700 × 47 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 658 total, 586 in this make and model, 568 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUS, 9 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 19921021043049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921021043049A), Oct 21, 1992: Piper PA28180, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Struck levee on forced landing. Mouse nest in cylinders and airbox. Tied down outside.

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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