# NTSB CHI96LA101: Piper PA-28-140, N95394, Pittsburg, KS, March 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 1, 1996, 18:00 local (Mar 2, 1996, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Pittsburg, KS - Coordinates: 37.409931, -94.689804 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4099&lon=-94.6898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10203 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10203/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=10203 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA101 ## Probable cause an inadequate annual inspection by maintenance personnel, a deteriorated muffler, and pilot incapacitation due to carbon monoxide. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, climb - exhaust system,muffler - deteriorated (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - incapacitation(carbon monoxide), pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95394-2013-06-10), registration cancelled 2013-06-10, S/N 28-25890, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-140 - 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: 28-25890 - Airframe hours: 2085 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; 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 ## 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 19960301035789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960301035789A), Mar 1, 1996: Piper PA28140, Pittsburg, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot and passenger became unconcious on takeoff due carbon monoxide in cabin. Muffler leaking. Annual 4HRS prior. ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 1996, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=10203. 1.5 MB in all. - Supplement S (item 1, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40055013&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20S-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 882 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460307&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460308&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Carbon Monoxide Test Results (item 5, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Carbon%20Monoxide%20Test%20Results-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Holes in Muffler Shroud (item 6, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40055018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Holes%20in%20Muffler%20Shroud-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Hole in Muffler (item 7, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40055019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Hole%20in%20Muffler-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Logbook Entry Indicating Annual Inspection (item 8, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40055020&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Logbook%20Entry%20Indicating%20Annual%20Inspection-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.