# NTSB DEN85LA032: Piper PA-28, N43530, Alexandria, SD, November 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1984, 03:18 local (09:18 UTC)
- Place: Alexandria, SD
- Coordinates: 43.649169, -97.769958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6492&lon=-97.7700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16603
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16603/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA032

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD AFTER THE ENGINE FAILED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING CRUISE FLT HE HEARD A FAINT KNOCK FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE REDUCED POWER AND CALLED FSS. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE PLT REDUCED POWER FURTHER AND THE ACFT STARTED TO DESCEND FROM 6500 FT MSL. THE WINDSHIELD BECAME OIL COVERED AND THE COCKPIT SOMEWHAT FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE PLT CIRCLED A LARGE FIELD AND UPON LANDING THE NOSE GEAR AND LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE ACFT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ENGINE SHOWED THAT #3 ROD FROZE TO THE CRANKSHAFT. THE LUBRICATING SYSTEM SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN FUNCTIONING IN A NORMAL MANNER. THE LAST 100 INSPECTION WAS ON 7/1/84 AT 4139 HOURS TOTAL ACFT TIME. NO LOGBOOK ENTRIES INDICATED ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS. THE PLT SAID THAT THE OIL TEMPERATURE GAGE INDICATED ALMOST IN THE RED AND THE OIL ALWAYS APPEARED EXTREMELY BLACK (ON PRE-FLT).

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - contamination (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Fire, landing - roll
  - fuel supply - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N43530 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 4229
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: M&B Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SHELDON, IA
- Destination: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 220 total, 220 in this make and model, 220 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °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 19841124063199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841124063199A), Nov 24, 1984: Piper PA28151, Alexandria, SD, Destroyed. Engine quit, emergency landing. Windshield covered with oil. Engine rod bearing failed. Rod froze to crankshaft.

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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