# NTSB CHI98LA116: Piper PA-25-235, N7108Z, Sabetha, KS, April 3, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1998, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Sabetha, KS
- Coordinates: 39.899112, -95.790786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8991&lon=-95.7908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA116

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the aircraft lost engine power while maneuvering near the airport and he was unable to restart the engine.  The pilot reported that he landed the airplane in a pasture and the airplane came to rest after a short slide.  The purpose of the accident flight was to calibrate the sprayers on the aircraft.  The accident engine was inspected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), Wichita, Kansas, and no anomalies were found.

## Factual narrative

On April 3, 1998, at 1000 central standard time, a Piper PA-25-235, N7108Z, was substantially damaged following a total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing in a farmer's field.  The commercial pilot reported no injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 maintenance flight was not operating on a flight plan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The flight departed Sabetha Municipal Airport, Sabetha, Kansas, at 0955.

According to the pilot's written statement, the purpose of the flight was to calibrate the sprayers on the aircraft.  The pilot stated that the aircraft lost engine power while maneuvering near the airport and he was unable to restart the engine.  The pilot stated that he landed the airplane in a pasture and the airplane came to rest after a short slide.

The accident engine was inspected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), Wichita, Kansas, and no anomalies were found.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7108Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7108Z-1998-12-22), registration cancelled 1998-12-22, S/N 252904 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-209-04
- Airframe hours: 5600
- Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Scott Heinen
- Registered owner: Glenn Heinen
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 1997
- Departed: K83
- Airport: K83, Sabetha Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,332 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,291 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19980403005929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980403005929A), Apr 3, 1998: Piper PA25235, Sabetha, KS, Substantial damage. Acft engine quit during aerial application, and the acft made an emergency landing in a field, Sabetha, KS (.4) the pilot stated that the aircraft lost engine…

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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