# NTSB CHI98LA294: Piper 20, N127X, Andover, KS, August 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1998, 19:15 local (Aug 2, 1998, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Andover, KS - Coordinates: 37.690589, -97.130645 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6906&lon=-97.1306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43594 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43594/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA294 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident were the trees which the airplane contacted and the low altitude at which the loss of power occurred. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - altitude - low (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that at an altitude of 60 to 70 feet above the ground a sudden loss of power occurred followed by a 'rapid descent' into a line of trees at the north end of the runway. The right wing of the airplane contacted a large cedar tree at a height of about 15 to 18 feet above the ground. Post accident inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any reason for the loss of power. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1998, at 1915 central daylight time (cdt), a Piper PA-20, N127X, owned and operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with the terrain shortly after takeoff from the Brady-Pippin Airstrip (private, 2,000' sod) in Andover, Kansas. The pilot reported a loss of engine power on takeoff. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. Two remaining passengers received minor injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight was departing at the time of takeoff. The pilot reported that everything appeared normal during the aircraft preflight, engine run-up, taxi, and initial takeoff. He reported that at an altitude of 60 to 70 feet above the ground a sudden loss of power occurred followed by a "rapid descent" into a line of trees at the north end of the runway. According to the Butler County Sheriff's Office, the right wing of the airplane contacted a large cedar tree at a height of about 15 to 18 feet above the ground. Their report states, "This caused the plane to spin or turn toward the east throwing it down onto the highway onto the left side of the plane crashing the wing and left side of the plane onto the roadway." The airplane came to rest on SW70th on a easterly heading. The airplane was examined by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Wichita, Kansas, Flight Standards District Office. Their inspection of the engine failed to reveal any reason for the loss of power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N127X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N127X-2000-06-20), registration cancelled 2000-06-20, S/N 20-860 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper 20 - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-860 - Airframe hours: 2850 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Maxwell James Self - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1998, 30 hours before - Departed: KS20 - Airport: PVT, Brady-Pippin, runway 36, 2,500 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 134 total, 60 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: 3KM, 7 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 19980801028389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980801028389A), Aug 1, 1998: Piper PA20, Andover, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot reported that at an altitude of 60 to 70 feet above the ground a sudden loss of power occurred followed by a 'rapid descent' into a line of trees at… 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.