- Date
- March 1, 1996, 18:00 local (Mar 2, 1996, 00:00 UTC)
- Place
- Pittsburg, KS
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N95394Piper PA-28-140
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 25, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19960301035789A
- Case key
- 10203
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
an inadequate annual inspection by maintenance personnel, a deteriorated muffler, and pilot incapacitation due to carbon monoxide.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that she and her passenger became incapacitated after takeoff. The airplane impacted the terrain. Both occupants were hospitalized for observation and testing for carbon monoxide. Tests were positive for carbon monoxide. A subsequent examination of the muffler system found holes in the muffler. An annual inspection had been performed 4 flight-hours prior to the accident, on 2/20/96.
Factual narrative
On March 1, 1996, at 1800 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N95394, registered to an individual and operated by a private pilot, impacted the terrain shortly after takeoff from Atkinson Municipal Airport, Pittsburg, Kansas. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The local flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was on departure at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated that both she and her passenger experienced periods of incapacitation during the accident sequence. Although neither occupant of the airplane sustained any injuries due to the impact both were hospitalized for observation and testing for carbon monoxide. The tests were positive and the results are attached to this report.
Subsequent to the accident an examination of the exhaust system of the accident airplane was conducted. Three holes were found in the exterior of the muffler shroud. When removed, additional holes were found in the muffler itself. An annual inspection of the airplane had been conducted four hours prior to the accident on February 20, 1996.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N95394
- Reported as
- Piper PA-28-140
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 28-25890
- Airframe hours
- 2,085
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-E3D, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- James A. & Particia A. Kirby
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 20, 1996 · 4 hours before
- Departed
- PTS
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 51
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 212 total · 120 in this make and model · 1 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 300° at 16 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 45 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- JLN, 21 nm away
Docket · 8
The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 1996, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.5 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.