# NTSB DEN07LA149: Piper PA-31P, N7325L, Newton, KS, August 28, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 2007, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Newton, KS - Coordinates: 38.058055, -97.274444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0581&lon=-97.2744&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66549 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66549/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07LA149 ## Probable cause The failure of the exhaust gasket on the number 6 cylinder for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - engine shutdown - performed, pilot in command - exhaust system,gasket - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis During initial takeoff climb, at an altitude of 300 feet agl, the right engine lost partial power. The pilot attempted to land back at the airport; however, he had to execute a forced landing in a field adjacent to the airport. Examination of the plane revealed the right wing forward and rear spars were bent upward. Examination of the right engine revealed the number 6 cylinder exhaust gasket was practically missing, the lower spark plug lead on the number 6 cylinder was damaged and separated from the spark plug, and the magneto P-lead was damaged, resulting in a partial loss of engine power. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the exhaust gaskets on the right engine, cylinders 2, 4, and 6, had been replaced approximately 4 hours prior to the accident. The reason for the failure of the exhaust gasket was not determined. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 2007, approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Piper PA-31P twin-engine airplane, N7325L, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following the partial loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb near Newton, Kansas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating from the Newton City/County Airport (EWK), Newton, Kansas, at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, he was taking off from runway 17. The takeoff was normal until approximately 300 feet above ground level (agl), when the right engine partially lost power. The pilot then started a shallow left turn back to the airport and proceeded to secure the right engine. He announced his intention to land on runway 35. On a one mile final for runway 35, the pilot observed that another airplane had just landed on runway 17. At less than 200 feet agl, the pilot decided to attempt a single engine go-around since the other airplane was still on the runway. The airplane was unable to attain a positive rate of climb, so the pilot decided to make a forced landing in a soft field adjacent to the airport. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing forward and rear spars were bent in a upward direction. An examination of the right engine, a Lycoming TIGO-541-E1A, by a Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector revealed that the number 6 cylinder exhaust gasket was "practically missing," the number 6 cylinder lower spark plug lead had melted and disconnected from the spark plug, the right hand magneto P-lead was heat damaged and shorted to ground "causing loss of the right hand magneto operation," and the wire bundle aft of the number 6 cylinder was heat damaged. A review of the maintenance records revealed the most recent annual inspection was performed on August 24, 2007, at a total airframe time of 5,062.7 hours, and the engine had accumulated 162.1 hours since major overhaul. As part of the right engine inspection, the exhaust gaskets (part number 78056, according to maintenance logbook entry) were replaced on cylinders 2, 4, and 6. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated 4 hours since the August 24th inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7325L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7325L-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 31P-7400206, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-31P - Registry model: [Piper PA-31P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p) (registry code 7103120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIGO-541SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tigo-541ser) (registry code 41539, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31P-7400206 - Airframe hours: 5062.7 - Engines: Lycoming TIGO-541-E1A 400 horsepower reciprocating; Lycoming TIGO-541-E1A 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lyle Fettig - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007, 4 hours before - Departed: EWK, Newton, KS - Destination: M65, Wynne Municipal, AR - Airport: KEWK, Newton City/County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: EWK, 1 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 20070828022739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070828022739A), Aug 28, 2007: Piper PA31P, Newton, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) On 8/28/07 at 1300 local time, N7325L PA-31P departed kewk rwy 17. At 300 feet AGL, power to the right engine was lost. Loss of power was caused by… ## Other investigations on N7325L (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX92LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA101), Jan 25, 1992: Piper PA-31P (N7325L), Tonopah, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THERE WAS AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT DUE TO ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF… 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.